AUTOMOTIVE Autoplan coverage offers significant driver protection FROM TRUSTY old Dodge Darts to exotic foreign machines, every B.C. vehi- cle must have basic Autoplan coverage. Some regard this basic in- surance as a ‘‘utility bill’ they must pay in order to get a car on the road and may not know that it provides a great deal of protec- tion. Here are just some of the details — there are more in the Autoplan motorist kit your broker gave you when you renewed your vehicle insurance. First, the basic Autoplan coverage ensures that there is up to $260,000 to compensate victims of accidents caused by the vehi- cle’s driver. The vehicle’s regis- tered owner has up to that much financial protection if he or she is sued by the “third party’? who has suffered the loss. “The owner of the insurance pol- icy is covered by certain no-fault accident benefits. Regardless of who was at fault in an accident, Autoplan pays benefits for inju- ties suffered by the vehicle’s oc- cupants and to pedestrians or cyclists injured by that vehicle. These Ddenefits include up to $150,000 in reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses. Those who were employed at the time of the accident may qualify for up to $300 per week in disability benefits. Some injured people may also qualify for funds to hire a person to do household tasks. Your basic Autoplan insurance protects you against injury or death caused by uninsured or unideniified motorists if the acci- Ken Hardie INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTOTOPIC dent happens in a North American jurisdiction which does not have a plan similar to ours. You are also protected should an accident occur in a jurisdiction where the right to recover losses is legally prohibited or where the person causing the accident resides in such a place, New for 1992 is the inclusion of underinsured motorist protection (UMP) in your basic caverage. It provides a maximum of $2 million for each insured person against bodily injury or death where the motorist who caused the accident does not have enough third party coverage to pay the claims. “UMP” covers you or any oc- cupant of your vehicle (except taxis, limos or buses), cither as driver or as a passenger. It covers any member of your household injured or killed while in someone else’s vehicle or as a pedestrian or cyclist. Your insurance broker has more details on the basic Autopian ceverages which can help you determine how much optional coverage you may need to add to the basic package. Restyled Civic has split hatchback and gain in horsepower From page 43 mpg) during city driving and 5.2 14160 km (54 mpg) on the high- way. That compares with last year’s fuel economy ratings of 7.7/6.0 (37 mpg city/47 > mpg hwy). The new VX model with variable valve timing and lean combustion (subject of a previous AutoMotion column) achieves the best gas mileage of any car in Canada, 3.9 litres per 100 km (52 mpg) city, 5.4 1/100 km (72 mpg) highway. On the road, the Civic Hat- chback DX has a_ particularly firm, solid ride and very sporty handling, limited only by fairly small tires. Honda's fully in- dependent double wishbone suspension, front and rear, has more wheel travel this year, to better absorb bumps. The high-revving powerplant and slick gearshift make driving fun, and the steering is wonderful- ly precise. The engine is quiet at highway speeds, but needs to be revved quite high in first gear, creating some cabin boom. Stand- ard disc/drum brakes ure very powerful, but ABS is nat available on most models. The simple, casy-to-see analogue instrument cluster lacks a tachometer. Dash-mounted heating and stereo conirols are closer to the driver this year, and are definitely user-friendly. A fold-out two-cup cupholder is Standard equipment. An airbag is not available on the hatchback 44 Honda's fully independent double wishbone suspension, front and rear, has more wheel travel this year, to better absorb bumps.99 model, but some Civic sedans have one, In my opinion, the Civic is a superior small car because it of- fers quality workmanship, ex- cellent fuel economy, good per- formance, and a record of reliability. If only Honda could cedesign that awkward split hat- chback. The manufactures’s suggested retail price of the CX is $9,995, DX $11,795, VX $12,795 and Si $13,995. Friday, Marsch 27, 1992 - North Shore News - 45 Photo submilted THE 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo has an electronic ignition system with mapping characteristics to increase power, optimize fuel consumption and minimize emissions. + CORVETTE® : CORSICA. « BERETTA * CAMARO. LUMINA® APV #.CAPR sLAZER™. * SUBURBAN v CAVALE G GEO METRO 4100 kmi/gal — highway! IGEO TRACKER 4x2, 4x4 convertible! CHEVY TRUCKS 8 Popular S10, nicely equipped! 7PLUS THE SAME GREAT, GREAT BARGAINS ON OUR ENTIRI 4aGEO, CHEVROLET, CHEVY TRUCK, VAN, 4x4, AND QUALIT : OLDSMOBILE LINE: UP!