Crunching your car doesn't have to mean crunching your wallet. But, what about when it comes time to get your car repaired? Some makes and models cost far more to repair than others - and those costs are reflected in your insurance rates. Insurers say collision repair costs among various vehicles can account for a difference of as much as ten percent of the insurance premium drivers pay. The federal government feels this issue is so important that it requires auto dealers to provide...

According to a survey from car insurance provider Direct Line, the cost of parking has increased by approximately one-quarter over the past six years. The car insurance firm states that it has observed an increase in parking costs across the country of an average 25 per cent, with Londoners paying the most for a parking place. She advised motorists driving to a busy place to look into park-and-ride schemes or inexpensive car parks in advance to save "serious money" High parking costs are...

Lenders are required by regulators to take out mortgage insurance on mortgages where the loan accounts for more than 80 of the value of the property being purchased. MORTGAGE insurers are likely to face rising claims from lenders over the next 12 months as home borrowers struggle to meet loan repayments, according to a leading credit ratings agency. While the agency noted that claims against mortgage insurers remained at low levels, the rate was likely to increase this year. While Fitch...

The prime rate and other interest rates are based primarily on these two interest rates, while mortgage rates are linked to Treasury bill rates. A: Interest rates are influenced by inflation and the market for debt (notes, bills, bonds, etc. The money markets themselves (basic supply and demand for money) also exert great influence over interest rates. Lower rates give companies and people (including home shoppers) an incentive to borrow money. With inflation relatively low in recent...

Though mandating seat-belt use probably would not reduce car insurance premiums immediately, it may contribute to a decrease over time, according to the insurance industry. Doug Nadeau, a spokesman for State Farm Insurance, said a seatbelt law in New Hampshire would not reduce those rates immediately but could bring a decrease over time, just as safety improvements to vehicles -- such as air bags and crumple zones -- have kept rates in check. It could also save the state millions of...

The report indicates that even if interest rates increased by as much as one-half point, 80% of Canadians could tolerate the increase to their mortgage payments. Responding to recent increases in mortgage rates, only 16% of Canadians noted a positive impact, whereas 26% noted a negative impact on their overall standard of living. Our recent survey shows that mortgage holders continue to be satisfied with their current rates and could absorb a further 0. mortgage market has been shaken by...

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Big banks brace for credit problems Rising interest rates may make it harder for customers to repay loans BY EILEEN ALT POWELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK - Despite strong growth in revenue, profit at Citigroup inc. fell 11 percent in the first quarter as the nation's largest financial institution took a charge to cover a massive restructuring aimed at improving earnings. Big banks brace for credit problems Rising interest rates may make it harder for customers to repay loans BY EILEEN...

As the recently hired senior loan officer team at the Fairfax office of Mason Dixon Funding, a residential and commercial mortgage lender, the duo enjoy working together as father and son. After seven years working in account management and marketing for several information-technology government contractor clients in the Mid-Atlantic region, Lee Williams says, he is glad he switched to mortgage lending. I'm developing the marketing side of the business with Realtors for potential loans....