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Rising Prices Slow as U.S. Gas Demand Drops

Rising Prices Slow as U.S. Gas Demand Drops











AAA Hayward


Hayward, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) January 14, 2011

Demand for gasoline is dropping like the New Year’s celebratory ball in Times Square, causing a recent rise in pump prices to slow to a snail’s pace. Despite that, the Golden State’s average gas price has jumped by nine cents over the last month, according to the latest report from AAA Northern California, which tracks gas prices as a service to consumers.

According to AAA’s latest report, all but one Northern California metro areas tracked by AAA saw a single digit increase at the pump over the past month. California’s average gas price is the third highest among all 50 states. The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $ 3.35, up nine cents since last month’s report on December 14. For perspective, that’s 29 cents higher than California’s average price on this date last year, when it was $ 3.06.

Northern California gas prices are now averaging $ 3.35, up seven cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $ 3.41, which is a 6-cent increase. The national average price of $ 3.09 is up by 11 cents, which is 34 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $ 2.75.

A SpendingPulse report on gasoline demand last Tuesday showed demand down 12.5 percent for the final week of 2010. In the last week of 2010, demand for gasoline nationwide dropped to 8.409 million barrels per day. That is the lowest consumption level since September 9, 2005, which was just days after Hurricane Katrina. However, globally, the demand for oil is currently rising, particularly in China and India.

This fact, and positive economic indicators in the United States, continues to push the pump price higher. That’s because the better the worldwide and domestic economies look, the more attractive crude oil becomes as an investment, as investors try to anticipate an increased demand for oil and gasoline.

“The spike in the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline during the end of 2010 and early 2011 may have played a role in the significant decline in demand,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “Additionally, the drop in demand nationwide is being attributed to a combination of commuters taking the holidays off and weather-related issues hampering road travel along some parts of the East Coast.”

The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville where regular is $ 3.25. Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka’s average price of $ 3.53 is the highest. It’s also the highest price reported by AAA in the lower 48 states.

The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Casper, Wyoming, where the average price of gas is $ 2.68. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $ 4.00 per gallon.

One way consumers can reduce the amount of money they spend on fuel is to shop aggressively for the lowest price. AAA now offers text alerts via mobile phone for low gas prices in your area. Sign up today at http://www.aaa.com/gas.

AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed everyday, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.

AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 4 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

About AAA

AAA is one of the top five insurance providers in the state of California with nearly 1 million car insurance (auto insurance) policyholders and insuring approximately 1.7 million cars in California. AAA’s insurance company, the California State Automobile Association Inter Insurance Bureau, began offering auto insurance in 1914. One out of every five cars on Northern California roads is insured by AAA.

Homeowners insurance was added in 1974 and has become California’s fourth-largest insurer of residential property. In addition to auto insurance and home insurance, AAA offers motorcycle insurance, watercraft insurance, motorhome insurance, renters insurance, rental property insurance, flood insurance, umbrella insurance, travel insurance and life insurance to customers in approximately 20 states, including Nevada and Utah.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.









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New Laws for California Drivers in 2011

New Laws for California Drivers in 2011











AAA Montclair


Oakland, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) January 14, 2011

The rules of the road are changing once again, and AAA Northern California wants drivers to be aware of several new laws that will affect them in 2011. Some of the new regulations are aimed at clarifying the vehicle code, protecting motorists’ privacy, ensuring better motorcycle rider safety, and providing public information about hybrid and electric vehicles.

“As a driver, you want to be aware of the new rules of the road, and AAA hopes to alert people to the latest changes,” said Matt Skryja, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “AAA actively works to promote safe and responsible transportation, and we supported many of these new laws.”

Vehicle Code Violations

AAA strongly supported SB 949, authored by Senator Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach). This clarifying law will stop a growing practice by local jurisdictions that choose to ignore the state laws governing traffic violations, known as the Vehicle Code, and instead cite driver’s for traffic violations under vague local ordinances with varying penalties.

Among the many reasons AAA supported this bill is that it will help protect safe drivers from the unsafe ones, since local ordinance citations do not ever have to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. With violations unreported, the DMV cannot keep track of the drivers who incurred them and take intervening action when necessary. This law ensures that California has statewide uniform traffic laws, uniform enforcement of those laws and uniform penalties for violations. Effective July 1, 2011.

Privacy for Electronic Toll Collection

Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) authored SB 1268, which AAA supported. This new law prohibits local transportation agencies, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the Bay Area, from selling or disseminating personal information of subscribers to electronic toll collection systems such as FASTRAK.

AAA supported this bill because, as with other technology that collects data and information from users, individuals may be reluctant to use them for fear their personal information will be used inappropriately or for unintended purposes. AAA hopes the law will help alleviate those concerns and increase usage of FASTRAK or other electronic toll collection systems.

Motorcycle Law

AB 1952 closes a loophole that allowed a person with a valid motorcycle driver’s instruction permit to operate that motorcycle prior to taking and passing an on-bike training skills safety course. Motorcycle drivers under 21 must now complete a 15-hour safety training course before receiving a learner’s permit, and they’re required to have that permit a full six months before applying for a license. AAA supported Assemblyman Roger Niello’s (R-Sacramento) bill as a common-sense safety measure. This law is effective January 1, 2011.

New Website for Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

The Energy Commission, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, will develop a website to provide consumers with information about charging plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles thanks to SB 1455, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego).

With nearly every auto manufacturer developing plug-in and/or electric vehicles, AAA believes this website (operational by July 1, 2011) will help consumers find answers to questions about whether his/her residence will require a utility service upgrade, basic charging requirements, utility rate options, load management techniques, and more. This law is effective January 1, 2011.

Towing Fees and Access Notice

Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) authored AB 519, which requires towing companies to give consumers a Towing Fees and Access Notice and an itemized invoice of all towing and storage fees.

AAA supported this bill as a way to clean up inferior operators in the industry and to help consumers and insurers predict towing, storage and related billing. Effective January 1, 2011.

About AAA

AAA is one of the top five insurance providers in the state of California with nearly 1 million car insurance (auto insurance) policyholders and insuring approximately 1.7 million cars in California. AAA’s insurance company, the California State Automobile Association Inter Insurance Bureau, began offering auto insurance in 1914. One out of every five cars on Northern California roads is insured by AAA.

Homeowners insurance was added in 1974 and has become California’s fourth-largest insurer of residential property. In addition to auto insurance and home insurance, AAA offers motorcycle insurance, watercraft insurance, motorhome insurance, renters insurance, rental property insurance, flood insurance, umbrella insurance, travel insurance and life insurance to customers in approximately 20 states, including Nevada and Utah.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.









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Rental Property Insurance Essential for both Landlords and Tenants

Article by Nigel Bowden
























Insurance is one of those expenses that most times, seem to show little in the way of return. Many people have insured something of value, such as property or chattels, for years on end, and never once needed to make a claim. Sometimes, especially if money is a little tight, they walk a little on the wild side, and let their policies lapse. The fortunate ones have nothing adverse happen, but in many cases the opposite is the case. This is especially true for rental property insurance, and the media often show stories of tenants who have lost all their possessions in a fire, and were uninsured. Every property owners must have insurance to protect what is usually the largest asset they own. If that property is used to generate rental income, it is even more essential that, as a landlord, the owner has a range of insurances in place, especially if the asset is under property management Christchurch control. When arranging insurance, a landlord must ensure that the policy they are taking out provides suitable cover for a rental property. There are policies available that cover not only the building but other issues relevant to the tenancy e.g. vacancy periods and damage by tenants. The landlord should discuss their requirements with the insurance company, as they may have to provide certain details before making a claim, such as up to date inspection reports if the claim is to do with damage by tenants. If the landlord has some of their own chattels stored at the property, or actually in the residence and being used by the tenants ie the property may have been rented as furnished, insurance on these chattels is the responsibility of the landlord and are not covered by the tenant’s insurance policies. These items should be listed on the tenancy agreement as being part of the property, so there is no disputing ownership when the tenant vacates. Insurance on rental properties is a must for tenants as well as landlords. The tenant should insure their possessions under their own contents insurance policy. The landlord’s insurance will not cover them. The tenant should also consider taking out personal liability insurance to cover them if any damage is done to the rental property either by themselves or their invited guests, either unintentionally or carelessly. Many tenants take out contents insurance but don’t bother about personal liability insurance. Christchurch real estate agencies that do property management recommend personal liability insurance for tenants as it can protect them from any claims by the landlord’s insurance company should the landlord have claimed for damages caused by the tenant. Insurances give people peace of mind. Provided the extent of the cover provided by the policy is understood by the insured, there should be no misunderstanding when it comes time to make a claim, through accident, misadventure or as a result of a natural disaster.

About the Author

Christchurch real estate instructs that insurance on rental properties is must for tenants and landlords.












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Gasoline Prices Rise with Tensions in Egypt

Gasoline Prices Rise with Tensions in Egypt











AAA Montclair


Oakland, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 18, 2011

Although demand for gasoline in the U.S. is dropping, the price at the pump is rising, largely thanks to uncertainty about international affairs. The Golden State’s average gas price has jumped by six cents over the last month, according to the latest report from AAA Northern California, which tracks gas prices as a service to consumers.

According to AAA’s latest report, all but two Northern California metro areas tracked by AAA saw a single digit increase at the pump over the past month. California’s average gas price is the third highest among all 50 states. The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $ 3.41, up six cents since last month’s report on January 11. For perspective, that’s 44 cents higher than California’s average price on this date last year, when it was $ 2.97.

Northern California gas prices are now averaging $ 3.42, up seven cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $ 3.48, which is a 7-cent increase. The national average price of $ 3.12 is up by three cents, which is 47 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $ 2.65.

“Recent uncertainly about the political turmoil in Egypt has helped to make investors nervous, forcing up the price of crude oil,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “However, over the past week investors finally took notice that the United States’ oil reserves had risen, showing a decrease in demand. This helped to stabilize the price per barrel.”

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly averages for gasoline demand have been dropping for the last six weeks. Just this week, traders begrudgingly agreed that market fundamentals—hefty crude supply and weak demand—needed to be accounted for and, while keeping one eye firmly trained on Egypt, oil prices began to retreat. This downward pressure on crude prices was compounded by strength in the U.S. dollar versus the euro. When the dollar strengthens, investors, including those holding foreign currencies, are less likely to invest in commodities, including crude, which pressures prices down.

The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville and Chico where regular is $ 3.34. Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka’s average price of $ 3.62 is the highest. It’s also the highest price reported by AAA in the lower 48 states. The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Casper, Wyoming, where for the second consecutive month the average price of gas is $ 2.68. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $ 4.01 per gallon.

One way consumers can reduce the amount of money they spend on fuel is to shop aggressively for the lowest price. AAA now offers text alerts via mobile phone for the lowest local gas prices.

AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed everyday, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.

To sign up for text alerts with the lowest local gas prices, visit http://www.aaa.com/gas.

About AAA

AAA is one of the top five insurance providers in the state of California with nearly 1 million car insurance (auto insurance) policyholders and insuring approximately 1.7 million cars in California. AAA’s insurance company, the California State Automobile Association Inter Insurance Bureau, began offering auto insurance in 1914. One out of every five cars on Northern California roads is insured by AAA.

Homeowners insurance was added in 1974 and has become California’s fourth-largest insurer of residential property. In addition to auto insurance and home insurance, AAA offers motorcycle insurance, watercraft insurance, motorhome insurance, renters insurance, rental property insurance, flood insurance, umbrella insurance, travel insurance and life insurance to customers in approximately 20 states, including Nevada and Utah.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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