Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In 1974, this 1965 Volkswagen Type 2 (a.k.a. 'Bus') was stolen from Washington State. Fast-forward to October 19 of this year and custom agents at the Port of Los Angeles open up a container bound for Europe only to rediscover said van. Somehow, the Bus's VIN was still in the LAPD's stolen vehicle database. Guess which 1965 Type 2 is no longer headed for Europe?

Here's where it gets a little bit foggy, a little bit weird. According to the Los Angeles Times, the cops and the feds can't find the original owner. And the gentleman that restored the thirteen-window Bus to such pristine condition and who was planning on shipping said Bus back to the fatherland is also a victim of the theft - meaning he's off the hook, but out of money. Because way back in 1974, Allstate ("You're in good hands") Insurance paid the then owner $2,500 for the stolen Volkswagen. Which means that Allstate is winding up with the Bus.

Update: The original owner has been located! Her name is Michelle Squires and yes, she would like her Bus back. The reason that she couldn't be located at first is because her last name used to be Carlson. Says Squires, "I don't know if I could afford it because the restored bus is supposed to be around $25,000 now, but I would like the opportunity to talk to Allstate to see if I could get it back." While we think it would be a stellar PR coup for Allstate, Squires should probably prepare to stay separated from her van.

[Source: Los Angeles Times | Image: Department of Homeland Security]

VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allstateauto insuranceAutoInsuranceBuscar insuranceCarInsuranceDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartmentOfHomelandSecurityhomeland securityHomelandSecurityinsuranceStolen CarStolen CarsStolenCarStolenCarsTheftThirteen-Window BusThirteen-windowBusvolkswagenVolkswagen busVolkswagen Station WagonVolkswagen Type 2VolkswagenBusVolkswagenStationWagonVolkswagenType2VWVW BusVwBusMon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When word got out that Mark LaNeve (right) was leaving General Motors effective October 15, we weren't at all sure where the soon-to-be-former exec was heading. The Wall Street Journal has finally let the cat out of the bag, reporting that LaNeve is leaving the auto business for a marketing gig at Allstate. LaNeve will sign on as the overseer of all marketing initiatives including brand stewardship, strategy and advertising, reporting only to CEO Thomas Wilson.

LaNeve leaves GM after five years as vice president of marketing and advertising. LaNeve was usurped by the General's own Bob Lutz, who semi-retired in April only to come back a couple months later to help strengthen the company's marketing and advertising initiatives. He is is being replaced as vice-president of U.S. sales by former Buick-GMC boss Susan Docherty.

While his new post at Allstate may not be as glamorous a job as being a VP at a major automaker, the insurer has recently made some hefty profits. The WSJ says Allstate raked in big bucks in the second quarter, after earlier getting hit hard by the economic downturn. In other words, LaNeve's company car perks might not be as generous, but he appears to be in Good Hands.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingallstateauto insuranceAutoInsurancecar insuranceCarInsurancefritz hendersonFritzHendersongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgood handsGoodHandsinsurancelaNevemark lanevemark lenevemarketingMarkLaneveTue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Barrett-Jackson debuts collector car insurance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/barrett-jackson-debuts-collector-car-insurance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/barrett-jackson-debuts-collector-car-insurance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/barrett-jackson-debuts-collector-car-insurance/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Barrett-Jackson, the well-known purveyor of collector car events and auctions, have decided to roll themselves into the world of custom and collector car insurance. Unlike "mass market" insurance, the type most carry on their daily driver vehicles, custom car insurance addresses the specific needs of the owners of special vehicles. Classic and collector cars are often only driven limited miles, sometimes highly customized, and their market values often higher than other automobiles of the same era - meaning a simple appraisal is usually out of the question.

According to Barrett-Jackson, the auction house polled its customers asking them what they would like to see from the company. With insurance a top priority, the auctioneer decided to team up with AIU Holdings' Private Client Group (formerly AIG) to offer policies which cover vehicles while they are in transit, allow up to 150% of the value documented at the beginning of the policy period, and address diminished value. Policyholders will also benefit from 24/7 roadside assistance. The new Barrett-Jackson insurance program was introduced last week at its Palm Beach auction.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Barrett-Jackson debuts collector car insurance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AIGAIU HoldingsAiuHoldingsBarrett-Jacksoncar insuracnecar insuranceCarInsuracneCarInsurancecollectible insuranceCollectibleInsuranceinsurancepolicytermFri, 24 Apr 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[No night driving equals pounds in the wallet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/11/no-night-driving-equals-pounds-in-the-wallet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/11/no-night-driving-equals-pounds-in-the-wallet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/11/no-night-driving-equals-pounds-in-the-wallet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Well, here's either a novel idea that may save money or put a crimp on one's social life.

British insurance More Th>n (yes, that's spelled correctly) is now offering an insurance policy called 'Time Drive'. Aimed at younger drivers, Time Drive provides less expensive coverage for those willing not to drive between 11 PM through 6 AM. A GPS device is installed in the driver's vehicle to verify they're complying with the policy.

More Th>n started the program based on data showing younger drivers have a greater chance of accidents in the evening. What do you think about the policy?

[Source: All Headlines News]

No night driving equals pounds in the wallet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car insuranceGPSMore Th>nyoung driverYoungDriverFri, 11 Aug 2006 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Driving down the cost of car insurance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/ease-high-gas-prices-by-decreasing-car-insurance/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/ease-high-gas-prices-by-decreasing-car-insurance/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/ease-high-gas-prices-by-decreasing-car-insurance/#commentsFiled under:

Suze Orman, a personal financial expert, has put together a comprehensive list of ways to lower the cost of your car insurance, sometimes by as much as several hundred dollars. Orman is a well respected financial consultant for the masses, so we've compiled a couple of her suggestions below with the rest to be found after the jump.

Boost Your Deductible
Increasing the amount can cut the premium 15-30 percent.
Get Less Mileage Out of Your Policy
Drivers who put less than 12,000 miles annually on their cars should ask their insurers about discounts.

(Thanks, James)

[Source: Yahoo! Finance]

Continue reading Driving down the cost of car insurance

Driving down the cost of car insurance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 May 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car insuranceCarInsurancegas pricesGasPricesThu, 11 May 2006 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Top ten cheapest, most expensive vehicles to insure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/study-top-ten-cheapest-most-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/study-top-ten-cheapest-most-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/study-top-ten-cheapest-most-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Quotesmith.com has published its annual findings on what it considers the ten most and least expensive vehicles to insure. Vehicles in the former category include the Ford F-Series pickup; Honda Civic; and the Ford Focus (pictured). Among the least expensive? Chrysler's Town & Country, the Chevrolet Cobalt (pictured), and the Dodge Caravan topped the list. In fact, domestic automakers have a virtual lock on the 'Least Expensive' list, with Toyota's Corolla the only foreign nameplate to slip onto the list (#10).

The company recommends prospective buyers to check coverage costs when purchasing new vehicles as insurance is the third largest automobile-related expense (after loan payments and fuel costs).

Top 10 Most Expensive Vehicles to Insure:

  1. Ford F-Series Pickup
  2. Dodge Ram Pickup
  3. Ford Explorer
  4. Honda Civic
  5. Chevrolet Silverado-C/K Pickup
  6. Toyota Camry
  7. Honda Accord
  8. Chevrolet Trailblazer
  9. Nissan Altima
  10. Ford Focus

Top 10 Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure:

  1. Chrysler Town & Country
  2. Chevrolet Cobalt
  3. Dodge Caravan
  4. Chevrolet Impala
  5. Ford Taurus
  6. Ford Econoline
  7. Jeep Grand Cherokee
  8. Chevrolet Malibu
  9. GMC Sierra Pickup
  10. Toyota Corolla       

Study: Top ten cheapest, most expensive vehicles to insure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car insurancetop tenMon, 27 Mar 2006 13:03:00 EST