Just as the cost of used cars was beginning to drop from the high levels seen during the recession, the repercussions of Hurricane Sandy may drive them back up again. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the sheer amount of vehicles that were destroyed or damaged beyond repair during the storm could cause an increase of as much as 1.5 percent for vehicles that are up to 8 years old.

During the recession, people held onto their vehicles longer to save money, which not only stunted car sales, but it also depleted used inventory, as those who were buying looked toward the previously owned market for financial reasons. Some 1- to 3-year-old models were selling for more than their new counterparts for a while. In the past few years, demand for used vehicles has begun to ease, bringing down prices and creating a better market for buyers.

However, the devastation caused by the recent hurricane will likely hinder the improvements for a period of time, as evidenced by the repercussions the auto industry experienced following Katrina. After the 2005 storm rocked the Gulf region, used vehicle prices jumped up an average of 3 percent, or $309, for the four months following the hurricane.

"Current estimates for insured and total losses place Hurricane Sandy on average at about one-third of the cost of Hurricane Katrina," said Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst with NADA Used Car Guide. "The destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy was most severe in New York and New Jersey, and supply and demand disruptions will be especially severe in these states."

Drivers in the New York/New Jersey region who are in need of vehicles can head to NJ State Auto Auction, which carries a wide variety of makes and models. While the average price of used vehicles is expected to rise, car shoppers may still be able to find a ride that fits their budget.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a great deal of New York and New Jersey residents have lost their homes, businesses and vehicles. Many coastal areas were hit with major flooding, with some cars and trucks completely immersed in the rushing waters brought on by the storm. In this situation, it is highly unlikely that a vehicle will be repairable after such damage, and Carfax, which provides vehicle history reports for used cars and trucks, is reporting that the vehicle flood damage caused by Sandy could surpass the 640,000 cars destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

"Carfax already receives information about flood damaged vehicles from every state impacted by Hurricane Sandy," said Larry Gamache, Carfax communications director. "Information about flood damage is reported to Carfax directly from every state DMV, as well as insurance companies, law enforcement organizations, repair facilities and many other sources."

It is important for car shoppers to be aware of flood damage when they are looking to purchase used vehicles. Not all cars caught in flood waters will be rendered undrivable, but the problems flooding can cause may become apparent down the line. Dirt and debris can work their way into the engine of a flooded car and create issues over time that may not be apparent right away. These models may sometimes make it to dealerships to be resold. Carfax is urging drivers and dealers in affected and surrounding areas to pay extra special attention to the condition of used vehicles coming in.

New Jersey Auto Auction provides Carfax history reports for every vehicle on the lot, giving drivers added assurance that they will not wind up with a car that's suffered through a flood. Drivers should also have independent mechanics inspect potential purchases prior to making a final decision, and they can look for waterlines in the engine compartment and trunk for evidence as well.

Child safety is important around the clock, especially when youngsters are riding in cars. This is why safety advocates, government agencies and health professionals place such a great deal of emphasis on the importance of using child car seats and booster seats. There are no federal guidelines on the use of such devices, but most states have regulations in place that require kids to use booster seats until they are a certain age, or reach a specific height and weight.

While all states require babies to be places in car seats, not everyone has a law regarding the use of booster seats. A recent report by researchers from the Boston Children's Hospital shows that these states have higher fatality rates among kids than those with stricter, longer-lasting child car seat laws. The study investigators looked at nearly 10,000 cases over a 10-year period and found that states with booster seat laws for kids between 4 and 6 had a 20 percent lower fatality rate among children than states without booster laws. This percentage increased to 35 percent for states with laws that pertain to kids up to age 7.

"Based on our findings, booster seat use for children under the age of 8 or 4 feet 9 inches really should go beyond casual suggestion," said lead author Dr. Rebekah Mannix of Boston Children's Division of Emergency Medicine. "It's clear that these laws save lives and we recommend all states adopt them."

In addition to ensuring kids are properly secured in a vehicle, parents should also choose a ride that is safe and reliable, which can help protect youngsters and other passengers in the event of an accident. There are many options available at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has more than four football fields worth of certified used models to choose from.

When drivers are in search of their next vehicles, many look to safety and fuel efficiency, and a car's reliability comes into play as an important factor as well. This is why Consumer Reports recently conducted the Annual Auto Survey, which examines vehicles based on how reliable they are. The survey results revealed that certain types of vehicles fared better than others.

Specifically, all of the fuel-efficient hatchbacks and wagons that the survey examined were found to have average or above-average reliability scores. On the other end of the spectrum, upscale cars, minivans and luxury SUVs were found to have the lowest scores, which indicates that spending more for a vehicle may not always warrant the most reliable results.

Consumer Reports did not just look at vehicle classes, the survey also examined reliability by brand. Toyota and its two sub-brands, Scion and Lexus, all placed highly on the list, along with other Japanese companies Mazda, Nissan and Infiniti. Subaru and Honda were both found to have improved since last year's survey as well. Domestic brands did not see
such widespread success, as Chrysler, Dodge and Ford all dropped in the ranks. Cadillac fared well, on the other hand, moving up 14 spots since last year.

"Ford's bumpy road can be seen in the numbers," said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. "Sixty percent of Ford-branded models and half of Lincolns were below average in predicted reliability, and none placed above average."

These findings can help car shoppers narrow down their options when choosing their next vehicles. Once they know what cars they might like, they can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction to check out the selection. The dealer carries a wide variety of makes and models, making it easy for drivers to find cars that suit their needs.

About a week has passed since Hurricane Sandy rocked the East Coast, and volunteers have been working hard to help those in need. Major charities and disaster relief foundations, such as the American Red Cross, have been handing out supplies and helping the thousands of individuals who have been affected by the storm. Individuals and companies across the country are rallying to contribute, and Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) recently announced it would be contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross.

"Hurricane Sandy has had a devastating impact on many people in the Northeast, including our own employees, dealers and customers, so we're pleased to work with the American Red Cross and local food banks to help those who have been affected by the disaster," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO of MNAO.

The car company did not stop at that donation, as The Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc., Board of Trustees will also be sending $5,000 apiece to two New Jersey food banks. Mazda car owners from affected areas who have auto loans or leases will be exempted from any late fees, and those who lost their cars in the storm may be eligible for $500 toward the purchase of a new Mazda.

Individuals who would prefer to replace their vehicles with used models may want to check out the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a variety of used makes and models, including Mazda vehicles, and every car on the lot is CARFAX certified. Drivers who buy cars at NJ State Auto can drive away with confidence, knowing they're getting behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle.

Aside from the initial cost of buying a car, there are many other financial aspects of owning a vehicle, including having automotive insurance. This is not a fixed rate for all drivers, and your annual premiums will depend on a variety of factors. There are many myths surrounding the details that determine your insurance rates, and PEMCO Insurance, a major car and home insurance provider in the Northwest, recently set out to dispel some of these rumors.

1. Color doesn't matter.
Many believe that choosing a flashier color over a more subtle one could drive up insurance premiums. While a red or yellow car will most likely attract a cop's attention more easily, insurance companies are blind to such differences.

"In fact, our agents don't even ask the color of a vehicle when writing a new policy, so the notion that red cars speed more often and cost their drivers higher premiums is an urban legend," said PEMCO spokesman Jon Osterberg.

2. Insurance covers the car, not the driver.
If you let your friend borrow your vehicle and he or she gets into an accident, your car insurance will typically cover the associated costs if the driver was at fault, not the driver's insurance. In some instances, this may vary, and you may need to review both policies to determine which plan is responsible for paying for any damages.

3. Men don't always have higher premiums.
PEMCO points out that insurance policy rates are not influenced by the sex of the driver for most drivers. Other factors, such as age and amount of time driving, do play a role however. Younger male drivers can pay more than their female counterparts, however. Statistics have shown that new male drivers tend to be more reckless behind the wheel, making them more of a risk than the ladies.

In order for the details of insurance premiums to matter at all, individuals need to own cars. New Jersey Auto Auction carries a wide selection of makes and models to choose from.

Election Day is just around the corner, and as the country's attention focuses more on politics, Total Car Score finds political views play a role in who you vote for as well as the kind of car you drive. The automotive information provider conducted a survey of more than 600 individuals across the U.S., who were either Democrat/Liberals or Republicans/Conservatives. Participants disclosed the type of car they drove as well as their party affiliation, and Total Car Score found disparities as well as similarities among their tastes.

The results were widespread across all vehicle classes, but the most popular choices for groups were vastly different. Most Republicans/Conservatives (29 percent) prefer trucks, while 27 percent of Democrats/Liberals own economy or compact cars. The next most popular choice for political drivers on both sides of the fence were SUVs and Crossover vehicles.These findings could indicate that this segment may be the most popular among Americans regardless of their political feelings.

"While the most popular vehicle type for each political group is very different, the SUV/Crossover segment is the second most-driven category for both Republicans (20 percent) and Democrats (18 percent)," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief for Total Car Score. "This explains why the SUV/Crossover segment has grown so much over the past 12 years. This segment has successfully crossed party lines and brought the two groups together – far more successfully than the many politicians who claim to have that skill set."

Regardless of who you're voting for in the upcoming election, you can find the vehicle you want at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide selection of makes and models at affordable prices, every driver will be able to find something they like.

When it comes to looking for used vehicles, many people want the best possible bang for their buck. However, some consumers may have noticed an increase in pricing over the past couple years. While used autos may be at a higher price than they were in years' past, they're actually in better condition as automakers are increasing quality.

People who are looking for used car deals may want to consider setting their sights on midsize sedans, as MoneyWatch reports they're decreasing in price. The news provider reports that because of the many 2013 redesigns, more individuals could be interested in new car shopping, leaving a greater number of used vehicles up for grabs.

Additionally, the news source reports that because midsize sedans may have lower gas mileage than their newer counterparts, they may go down in price.

While used cars are lasting longer, another factor in price is that people are holding onto their vehicles longer, causing for a shortage in inventory. NBC News reports that people are buying new cars, but not as often as they once did.

"The days when you bought a vehicle for 4 or 5 years are likely over," Anthony Pratt, Polk director of forecasting, told the news provider.

Part of this is due to people being purchase-shy during the recession. Another factor is the reliability in vehicles has increased.

No matter what you're looking for in a used vehicle, there's a strong chance you'll find it at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The company features a number of different models that come in all kinds of finishes and mileage, so you're sure to find something that meets your needs.