Aceinsurance

Do you consider the cost of car insurance before you buy your dream car? You should. The Highway Loss Data Institute analyzes the cost to insurance companies from theft, collision, and injury claims as they relate to cars. They look at the color of the cars, how many doors they have, and even break them down type.

The Highway Loss Data Institute is a nonprofit public service organization. It is closely associated with and funded through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is wholly supported by auto insurers. HLDI gathers, processes, and publishes data on the ways losses vary among different kinds of vehicles.

4- Door cars have a 93% less chance of having a claim related to theft than their sibling 2-Door cars. Buy a Buick LeSabre and have relatively no chance of a theft loss. Compare that to the convertible Chevrolet Corvette that has over 5 times the average theft rate. You may have known that. However, did you know that the Toyota Celica has a 67% higher chance of theft than the Toyota Camry?

In addition, even though the 2002 Lexus IS 300 gets a "best pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its performance on crash tests, previous years' models of the same car are some of the most costly in terms of collision claims. "One of the factors that come into play there is the cost of repairing an expensive vehicle," says Russ Rader, with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

What about safety? You may be surprised at some of the results. For example, the Porsche 911 has a 67% less chance for injury claims than the norm. Go figure. The Mitsubishi Lancer has almost double the injury claim rate over the norm.

Where does you car fit for injury theft and collision? What about your dream car? Take a look at this run down based on 2000-2002 HLDI data:

Models that are among the most expensive for theft claims include:

Cadillac Escalade four-wheel drive
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Lincoln Navigator four-wheel drive
Jeep Cherokee four-door
BMW 3 series Convertible

Models that are among the least expensive for theft claims include:

Buick LeSabre
Buick Park Avenue
Volvo V70 Station Wagon
Mercury Grand Marquis four-door

Models that are among the most expensive for injury claims include:

Suzuki Esteem four-door
Kia Rio four-door
Mitsubishi Mirage two-door
Kia Sepectra four-door

Models that are among the least expensive for injury claims include:

GMC Sierra 2500 two-wheel drive
Chevrolet Silverado 2500
GMC Yukon XL 1500 four-wheel drive
GMC Sierra 2500 four-wheel drive
Chevrolet Tahoe two-wheel drive

Models that are among the most expensive for collision claims include:

Subaru Impreza WRX four-wheel drive four-door
Lexus IS 300 4 door
Hyundai Tiburon two-door
Porsche 911 Coupe
Acura RSX

Models that are among the least expensive for collision claims include:

Ford Excursion two-wheel drive
GMC Safari four-wheel drive
GMC Sierra 2500
GMC Yukon XL 1500 four-wheel drive

Source: The Highway Loss Data Institute

If you are lucky enough to have a window with a wonderful view, you will want to be sure to choose an appropriate window dressing that will complement and enhance that view, without detracting from it or blocking the light. A carefully selected window valance can provide just the right look. The various types available can be used as a stand alone decoration, or combined with curtains, blinds or shutters to create a unique effect. While high quality sewn valances are a really classy style, there are also no-sew varieties available.

Traditional formal valences were heavy creations of rich tapestries, often with thick fringing. More modern designs are informal, light and free flowing, made from cotton or linen. Some frequently used valance styles are described below.

The Balloon valance is so named because of the way it hangs. Doubled fabric is gathered and secured in equally spaced intervals along a pole, and the material between balloons out to give the required effect. To create extra shape, the balloon sections may be stuffed with tissue paper or a softer material. Lightweight cotton fabrics are effective balloon valances, and bold patterns such as stripes are a good choice.

A swag valance is another style, which can either be fairly short or extend to the floor either side of the window if desired. Two decorative brackets are placed on either side of the window top. The material is folded like a concertina, and hung across the two brackets. For larger windows a central bracket may be required to support the weight of the material. Heavier materials hang well but may be a little too much for the brackets so choose carefully.

To create a formal valance, such as a pleated valance, you will probably require heavier material that will retain its shape. If you wish to use a less heavy fabric, it will work better if you line it first. Material for a pleated valance needs to be cut and lined carefully so that the underside shows equally at every pleat. For this reason you might want to avoid making pleated valances unless you are a talented draper. Pleated valances are attached to a board hung from the wall by strong brackets.

Valance placement is as important as style to create just the right effect. To lengthen windows, the valance should be hung so that the bottom only just covers the top of the window. To shorten overly long windows, the valance should be placed lower down and can be quite long to hide the expanse of glass. As a rule of thumb, a valance should not cover more that one third of a window or the window will appear swamped in fabric. If you have a two story window it can be cut in half with a valance, which complements the dcor of the lower room. However, you may lose some of the height and space creates by the two story window.

Window valances are simple to create and some require little or no sewing ability. The main consideration when using valances for interior design is how the valance will work with the rest of the decorations in your room. Unless you want your window to act as the focal point of the room you want to be careful not to make your valance too overpowering.