Car Wreck Insurance Myths to Beware Of

Posted on December 29, 2020 by gcsjunk

Now that winter is approaching, and snow is just around the corner, safe driving cannot be talked about and understood enough. But in addition to safe driving is the importance of accurate insurance awareness. Knowing what to expect from your car insurance policy is crucial, which is why it is strongly suggested to review your benefits before the start of each winter season. More importantly than knowing your automotive insurance benefits, is understanding them so to not fall victim to the common insurance myths out there.

Continue reading to learn about the most common motor vehicle insurance myths, and the truths behind them.

Car Insurance Basics to Understand

Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of death in this country. Practicing safe driving techniques is critical, but understanding your insurance policy can protect you and your family on the road as well. More than accidents, drivers fall victim to false insurance myths, rumor mills, and word-of-mouth.

**Most Common and Untrue Car Insurance Myths:**

☒ Credit Score Has Nothing to Do With Insurance Rates. Credit scores plays a major role in the amount of the total cost of your premium. That is because most car insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to help determine risk. Not only does credit score influence insurance rates, it also can affect loan eligibility.

☒ Red Cars Cost More to Insure. The color of your car has nothing to do with the cost of your insurance premium. The primary factors that insurance carriers tend to base rates on include the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle’s age, the vehicle’s body type, the vehicle’s engine size, the driver’s driving record, the driver’s credit history, and the driver’s age. So go ahead and get that candy apple red two door you’ve been eyeing; it will not affect your total insurance payment.

☒ New Cars Cost More to Insure. It is understandable that this myth has fooled consumers, since sometimes it is true; especially if your down payment is small. A new or expensive car may require more coverage, but the rates do not always increase simply because it is a new vehicle.

☒ Rates Automatically Increase After a Filed Claim. Again, this myth is understandably confusing. Although sometimes car insurance rates will increase after a claim, it is not always the case. The primary factors looked at include the severity of the accident, the driver’s claim history, and the total cost of the claim.

☒ Lapses in Coverage Do Not Affect Rates. Even if you are not driving, a lapse in insurance coverage will affect your car insurance rates when it comes time to start driving again. In fact, it can have a large financial impact on your total car insurance premium. So do not fall victim to this myth!

☒ You Can Keep a Totaled Car and Claim Insurance Too. Car insurance companies do not allow claimants to keep their totaled car if they also accept the insurance payout. They must choose one or the other. In some cases, claimants are not allowed to keep their car at all, even if they forgo a payout.

How to Get Cash for Your Wrecked Car in Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car in Louisville and its surrounding counties, today! We accept all make and model vehicles, regardless of age or condition! There is never a middleman, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. Furthermore, our Louisville junk car buyers offer free towing haul away! Request a free estimate for your junk car, today.

Signs That Suggest You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter

Posted on December 15, 2020 by gcsjunk

Your vehicle is an important asset. After all, if it weren’t, you probably wouldn’t have one. For this reason, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for any signs that suggest it needs some mechanical attention. Most parts and systems can be easily protected and replaced with little cost. But when it comes to the more complex and important systems in your vehicle, like the catalytic converter and engine, it is better to catch their needs early on, before the cost to repair them gets out of control.

Engines will show obvious signs, including indicator lamp warnings on the dashboard. But when it comes to catalytic converters, the signs are more subtle. Fortunately, with a little knowledge, you will know exactly what to look out for, and what to do when it happens.

Continue reading to learn the top signs that you need to replace your catalytic converter, and how to sell your old one for cash on the spot.

What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?

Before you can learn to spot the signs of catalytic converter mechanical failure, it helps to learn how this vital auto part works in the first place. By understanding the basic operation of a catalytic converter, you will be naturally more in tune with any signs that might pop up.

A catalytic converter is an advanced exhaust emission control device used to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), nitrogen oxides, and similar pollutants produced by automotive engines and fuel. Simply put, they are the automotive component responsible for transforming the harmful emissions into less harmful ones, before exiting the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Fun fact: Catalytic converters operate by using metal catalysts, generally consisting of one or more valuable metals, like platinum, rhodium, palladium, and even gold. This precious metal content is what makes catalytic converters so expensive, and so valuable.

Signs of a Failing Catalytic Converter:

⚙ Your Engine is Sluggish or Problematic – If your engine seems like it is not working like it used to, it could be due to a mechanical failure within the catalytic converter. In fact, decreased engine performance is often the very first sign to show up when a catalytic converter is having problems. Usually, the Check Engine Light illuminates on the dash. A blockage or crack within the exhaust system can cause the engine to have poor fuel efficiency, slow acceleration, or power issues.

⚙ Your Check Engine Light is On. As mentioned, one of the very first signs you will likely notice when your catalytic converter is malfunctioning is seeing the Check Engine Light, also known as a Malfunctioning Indicator Lamp (MIL). This light is programmed to come on when anything within your vehicle’s systems is affecting the engine’s performance. A common catalytic converter malfunction that causes the Check Engine Light to come on is when it is not catalyzing the exhaust gases correctly.

⚙ Your Car is Rattling When it Runs. Hearing rattling noises while the engine is running, whether moving or at an idle, is a common indication that something is going wrong with the exhaust system. More times than not, it is due to the catalytic converter corroding or coming apart.

What to Do With an Old Catalytic Converter in Louisville, Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you have a junk car or broken auto part to sell in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, our Louisville Kentucky cash for cars company also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate! Sorry, we do not accept catalytic converters or tires.

How to Sell a Junk Car to an Auto Salvage Yard

Posted on November 24, 2020 by gcsjunk

That junk car has been sitting on your property for years, but now you are tired of it taking up valuable space. This is great news because it is the very first step to selling a junk car to an auto salvage yard in Louisville! Making the decision to finally get rid of an old hunk of junk that’s been rusting or rusted out for too long is the initial part of the junk car selling process.

Continue below to learn the next steps to take, as well as which Kentucky auto salvage center you can trust to pay you top-dollar for your junk car.

Louisville Kentucky Auto Salvage Yard 502-804-5605

Where to Find Kentucky Junk Car Buyers

When it comes to looking for a Kentucky junk car buyer, you don’t have to necessarily look to far. There are thousands of businesses claiming they buy junk cars, but do not be fooled. Most of these are fly-by-the-night scammers, inexperienced rookies without proper capital, and unprofessional businessmen. It is important to do your research and find a reputable Louisville Kentucky auto salvage yard to do business with. They will have the proper resources, capital, and business ethics to deliver the highest standards in the auto salvage industry. Basically, if you want good customer service, free amenities, and the highest payment, choose the right Kentucky junk car buyer.

After Choosing an Auto Salvage Yard

Once you have chosen a business to sell your junk car to, all you have to do is contact them. As a professional company, they should know exactly how to walk you through the junk car selling process. They will start by asking you some questions about your vehicle, including its make, model, location, and overall condition. From there, they will offer you an over-the-phone junk car appraisal; you can either choose to accept or deny. If you prefer, you may be able to request an on-site junk car evaluation if you feel like the initial quote is not accurate.

Your junk car buyer will work with you to schedule a time for pickup. They will retrieve your junk car and pass you the payment at the same time. It is recommended to choose a company that pays cash on the spot, rather than those who send checks in the mail. As for preparing your junk car for removal, there’s not much you have to do other than remove all of your personal belongings. This includes music, books, clothing, garbage, license plates, roadside kits, and personal stereo equipment.

Where to Find Professional Auto Salvage in Louisville Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell your junk car in Kentucky and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Louisville, Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!

What is a Junk Car?

Posted on February 26, 2019 by gcsjunk

If your car was just involved in a serious collision or accident, you may be asking yourself, “what now?” Well, your first step is to contact your automotive insurance carrier to review the details of your particular policy. From there, an adjuster will determine whether or not your vehicle is a “total loss”, which is a fancy surety term for a junk car. If you do not have car insurance, you can still get rid of your car, and even make some money at the same time.

Continue reading to learn how an insurance company defines a junk car, and what your options are for selling on, whether insured or not, here in Louisville.

Total Loss Vehicles

It’s actually pretty simple. Total loss vehicles are simply cars that are too far damaged to be worth repairing. The more technical definition is, “a vehicle that costs more to repair than the actual cash worth before the damage.” So, to explain in plain language, if your vehicle is worth $4,000 before the accident, but then costs $5,500 to repair it back to the condition it was in before the accident, it would be deemed “totaled.” There are some cases in which this does not apply, such as brand new Luxury vehicles with values much higher than average or older cars.

Here is Another Example:

If your car is worth $7,000 but the cost to repair it back to the condition it was in before the damage exceeds that amount, your vehicle would be deemed a total loss because it would not be worth repairing it for that amount of money. Instead, it would make more sense to simply cash in the insurance money under your policy terms, and purchase a new vehicle.

No Insurance?

If you do not have auto insurance, your totaled car can still reap you a nice profit. All you have to do is find a reputable and experienced Louisville junk car buyer that offers cash payments and free haul away. Just be careful choosing a buyer to work with; in the junk car industry, there are thousands of unethical, unprofessional, fly-by-the-night businesses that will rip you off. Always choose a company that has professional grade equipment, technologies, and experience. This shows that they are a trusted junk car buyer that does good business.

Where to Get Started

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you have a junk car to sell in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! No title? No problem! Contact us today to request a free estimate.