Well-Armed Consumer
Annoying Robocalls Hit Record Numbers Last Month
The number of annoying robocalls Americans endured rose by 15.9% last month versus the previous month, according to the YouMail Robocall Index. In fact, there was a new monthly record of 5.1 billion robocalls received nationwide in October, which marks the first time the monthly total has topped 5 billion robocalls since the YouMail Robocall Index launched…
Read MoreKelley Blue Book Announces the 2019 Best Buy Award Winners
Following head-to-head testing and evaluation of 2019 model-year vehicles, the experts at Kelley Blue Book today announced the 2019 Best Buy Award winners. Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards honor the top new model-year vehicles available in the U.S. market in 14 major categories, along with a brand-new category for 2019 – Best New Model – with the…
Read MoreAverage New-Car Prices Rise 2 Percent Year-Over-Year, According to Kelley Blue Book
The estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $35,742 in September 2018, the analysts at Kelley Blue Book report. New-vehicle prices increased by $687 (up 2 percent) from September 2017, while remaining flat (down 0.4 percent) from last month. “While September sales are expected to decline, average transaction prices remained strong, rising 2 percent year-over-year,” said Tim Fleming, analyst for…
Read MoreThe 7 Best Cars to Buy Now, According to U.S. News & World Report
Slow sales, good performance in the U.S. News Best Cars rankings and significant incentives make these cars and SUVs smart buys this September, according to U.S. News & World Report. To make U.S. News’ monthly list, a car must meet three criteria: declining sales, strong manufacturer incentives and excellent scores in the U.S. News Best Cars…
Read MoreRenters Insurance – Fact and Fiction
With more than 43 million renter-occupied units, the number of renters in the U.S. is near an all-time high, according to insurer Nationwide. However, according to an Insurance Information Institute poll, only 41 percent of renters carry renters insurance, a substantial difference from 95 percent of homeowners who carry homeowners insurance policies. “Many renters underestimate both…
Read MoreRobocalls Are On the Rise
Americans were overwhelmed by an estimated 24.3 billion robocalls in the first seven months of this year, compared to an estimated 17.2 billion robocalls received in the first seven months of 2017, marking a 41.3% year-on-year increase for this ongoing national problem, according to YouMail. The 3.99 billion robocalls received nationwide in July represented a…
Read MoreMobility Services Becoming More Popular as Alternatives to Vehicle Ownership, According to Cox Automotive Study
The automotive industry’s predictions on the future of traditional vehicle ownership remain a topic of debate and at times a guessing game. Ultimately, awareness, availability and acceptance of on-demand transportation options, such as car-sharing, ride-hailing and subscription services, will likely be the deciding factor. The uptake of vehicle ownership alternatives is transforming the way consumers…
Read MoreThe Best Road-Trip Vehicles, Chosen by Edmunds
The editors at vehicle valuation specialist Edmunds have chosen their favorite road-trip vehicles. “We surveyed more than 500 Edmunds shoppers and discovered that 80 percent of them have either taken, planned to take or would like to take a road trip this summer, so it’s obvious that the road trip remains as popular as ever,”…
Read MoreThe Average New-Vehicle Transaction Price Is Now $35,359, According to KBB
America\’s love of SUVs, Crossovers and Trucks – and a corresponding decline in the popularity of cars – is pushing new vehicle prices ever higher, according to a new report from Kelley Blue Book. The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $35,359 in July 2018. New-vehicle…
Read MoreHow to Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
Summer is the season of UV exposure, and the time of year when we really want to protect our eyes from harmful rays. This is why July is National Ultraviolet Safety Month, and why the experts at Lighthouse Guild have prepared some tips for protecting our eyes from the sun. Lighthouse Guild points out that…
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