Leasing vs. Financing Cars for Business Owners: Which Option is Right for You?

When it comes to acquiring vehicles for your business, the decision between leasing and financing can have significant implications for your company’s financial health and operational flexibility. Understanding the key differences between these options and how they align with your business goals is crucial for making an informed decision. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of leasing and financing cars for business owners, as well as provide guidance to help you determine which option is best suited for your needs.

Leasing Cars for Business Owners

Leasing is a popular option for business owners who require vehicles for their operations. Under a lease agreement, you pay a fixed monthly fee for the use of the car for a specified term, typically between 24 to 60 months. At the end of the lease term, you can either return the vehicle, purchase it at a predetermined price, or enter into a new lease for a different vehicle.

Pros of Leasing:

Lower Monthly Payments: Leasing usually offers lower monthly payments compared to financing, as you’re only paying for the vehicle’s depreciation during the lease term. This can free up cash flow for other business expenses.
Tax Benefits: Lease payments are often tax-deductible as a business expense, which can reduce your overall tax liability.
Access to Newer Vehicles: Leasing allows you to drive newer vehicles with updated features and technology, which can be important for maintaining a professional image and ensuring the safety and comfort of your employees.
Lower Maintenance Costs: Since lease terms generally coincide with the manufacturer’s warranty period, most repairs and maintenance are covered, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Flexibility: At the end of the lease term, you can choose to upgrade to a newer vehicle, purchase the leased vehicle, or explore other options. This flexibility can be beneficial for businesses with changing needs.

Cons of Leasing:

No Ownership: At the end of the lease term, you don’t own the vehicle, which means you won’t have an asset to sell or trade-in.
Mileage Restrictions: Lease agreements typically include mileage limits, and exceeding these limits can result in costly fees.
Limited Customization: Leased vehicles usually have restrictions on modifications, which may not be ideal for businesses requiring customized vehicles.
Higher Insurance Costs: Leasing often requires higher levels of insurance coverage, which can lead to increased premiums.
Potential Penalties: Early termination of a lease can result in penalties, and excessive wear and tear on the vehicle can lead to additional fees at the end of the lease term.

Financing Cars for Business Owners

Financing involves taking out a loan to purchase a vehicle, with the car serving as collateral for the loan. Over a set term, you make monthly payments to repay the loan principal and interest. Once the loan is paid off, you own the vehicle outright.

Pros of Financing:

Ownership: Financing leads to vehicle ownership, providing you with an asset that can be sold or used as collateral for future loans.
No Mileage Restrictions: Financing doesn’t impose mileage limits, making it a better option for businesses with high annual mileage requirements.
Customization: As the vehicle owner, you have the freedom to modify and customize the car to meet your specific business needs.
Lower Long-Term Costs: Although monthly payments may be higher than leasing, financing can result in lower overall costs in the long run, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for an extended period.
Building Credit: Timely payments on a financed vehicle can improve your business credit score, making it easier to secure future loans and financing.

Cons of Financing:

Higher Monthly Payments: Financing typically involves higher monthly

Depreciation: As the owner, you bear the burden of the vehicle’s depreciation, which can result in a lower resale value over time.
Maintenance and Repair Costs: As the vehicle ages, maintenance and repair costs can increase, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Less Flexibility: Unlike leasing, financing doesn’t provide the option to easily upgrade to a newer vehicle at the end of the loan term.
Larger Down Payment: Financing often requires a larger down payment than leasing, which can strain your business’s cash reserves.

How to Choose Between Leasing and Financing

Determining whether leasing or financing is the right choice for your business depends on several factors, including your budget, mileage requirements, and long-term plans. Here are some key considerations to help guide your decision-making process:

Cash Flow: If preserving cash flow is a priority for your business, leasing may be the better option due to lower monthly payments and smaller down payment requirements.
Mileage: Consider your anticipated annual mileage. If your business requires high mileage usage, financing may be more cost-effective, as leasing can result in additional fees for exceeding mileage limits.
Vehicle Usage: If your business requires customized vehicles or heavy-duty usage, financing can provide greater freedom for modifications and avoid potential wear-and-tear penalties associated with leasing.
Long-Term Plans: If you plan to keep the vehicle for an extended period or view it as an investment, financing may be the better choice. However, if you prefer to have access to newer vehicles with updated technology and safety features, leasing may be more suitable.
Tax Implications: Consult with a tax professional to evaluate the potential tax benefits and implications of leasing vs. financing for your specific business situation.

Each business owner has their own choices to make, one person we interview had this to day: “I own a moving company, so for me, it makes sense to finance my commercial vehicles used for customer care, but lease my daily drivers for a tax benefit”

Conclusion

The decision between leasing and financing cars for your business can have significant financial and operational implications. By carefully considering factors such as cash flow, mileage requirements, vehicle usage, and long-term plans, you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your business goals and needs. It’s also important to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to ensure you fully understand the financial and tax implications of your chosen option. Ultimately, choosing the right vehicle acquisition method can contribute to your business’s overall success and long-term growth.

5 Best Car Leasing Deal Tips 2020

For those individuals who like the idea of driving a new car but do not have the funds or do not want to purchase a new car outright, leasing a car is the best option. With low monthly payments, new cars can be leased for a definite time, allowing you to save and either purchase the car at the end of the lease or return it.

However, when leasing a car there are certain things to consider that ensure you get the best car lease deals. So, here are the top 5 car leasing tips to take on board.

Know the costs
Understanding the costs involved with leasing a car can be puzzling, so ensure your dealer explains everything, including up-front payments, interest, taxes, and any other fees that are payable. You can often get some best car lease deals with low monthly payments, but check that there are no hidden costs that might make the offer less attractive than originally perceived.

Also, ensure that you are in a position to make the monthly payments, as once you have signed the contract you are legally obliged to cover all the costs associated with the arrangement. Avoid using any dealers who are not transparent with their cost structures, and never be afraid to ask questions or get information clarified before you sign up. Oz Leasing always provides a clear cost structure, so you can choose us to be your car leasing partner.

Choose the car that holds value
When you lease a car you are paying for its depreciation, interest, tax, and fees. So if you choose a car that holds value, or depreciates less, your monthly lease payment will be lower. A car with good resale value has a strong residual value which means the amount that is left is still high when your lease term is over. We publish a list of good lease cars so search for the best residual values on our website.

Negotiate the initial price
When leasing a car, the initial purchase price is important and should be negotiated downward as far as you can go. Many dealers try to shift away from the purchase price by telling you there is no need to bargain over price because the monthly payment is the only consideration when leasing a car.

However, the purchase price is a key determinant of the monthly lease payment, so spend some time on negotiation to get the best car lease deals out there.

Look into the car insurance
Insurance of the car is something that needs to be considered when leasing it. GAP insurance is the one that you should opt for. This is because if your leased car is stolen or get scratches and dents during the rental period, you will not get the original value back from the insurer. This could leave you in negative equity and owing to the lease company more than the insurer pays out. GAP insurance covers the difference between the original value and insurance pay-out offering you financial peace of mind.

Consider the length of the lease and mileage
Cars are leased typically for 36 months, 39 months, or 60 months. Whatever lease period you choose, make sure it is covered by a warranty and if not then consider getting an extended warranty. Also, you need to look at the mileage limits imposed in the contract. Ensure that the limit fits with the amount of driving you expect to do during that period. We offer leasing contracts with 12,000 and 15,000miles per year, but keep in mind that if you exceed the limit, you will be charged extra.

These are the top 5 leasing tips that will help you get the best car lease deals. If you are looking to lease a car then Oz Leasing is the one to look for. We offer various best car lease deals that suit your requirement and budget. Call us today at 800-362-7273.

Come lease with Oz Leasing

What happens at the end of a car lease?

As you near the expiration of your vehicle’s lease period, it is natural to ponder upon the alternatives that might be available to you. There’s plenty to gape about such as: would you be interested in keeping your car or give it up, or lease it once again? We can assist you in carefully accessing your options so that at the closure of your car lease term, you are better equipped to make the right decision.

What happens at the end of a car lease? 5

Car Lease Termination Options

Commonly, the auto leases are short-term agreements, generally lasting 2 – 3 years. The timeline is enough to either make up your mind to keep the car or get rid of it. Luckily with leasing, both are possible.

All in all, there are a total of 3 options that are available to you that are part of the car lease agreement.

Keep the car: If you are satisfied with your car’s performance and enjoyed driving it, at the end of the lease timeline, you have the choice of buying it. To do so, you simply pay the agreed pending value, or, if feasible, work out a better deal with the seller.

Give it up: You might not like the car, and that’s FINE too. If that happens to be the case, once the lease term ends, you are free to walk away. Simply pay for the miles driven, maintenance expenses (if any), contract termination charges, and you are free to leave the car with the retailer.

Lease another car: The vehicle might not have appealed to you much, but you’re not ready to give up on car lease yet. What happens to be the most significant benefit of the leasing agreement is that you are not liable to keep the vehicle more than its lease period. As the term comes to an end, you are free to explore and try another option that fits well into your price bracket. This way, you can use and change as many cars as you like.

The best choice for you is entirely dependent on your contracting situation, the lessor, and how much expense you can bear. If you are uncertain about the cost that you’ll need to reimburse when your contract term expires, be sure to review your lease agreement or get in touch with your leasing company for further clarifications.

Getting your vehicle ready for the lease-end

If you choose to turn in the vehicle or lease another car, you’ll need to first ready it to give it back. The process involves ensuring that the vehicle is in the best shape possible, so that you are spared of the hefty fines that could be levied due to unnecessary and excessive wear. Not all rental charges are up for negotiation, so it’s extremely important to make sure your vehicle is prepared before turning it in.

Make sure to wash the car inside out; be sure to refurbish it— as long as it is economical, especially in case of minimal damage. Repairing excessive wear and tear may cost you a fortune, and replacing anything that takes away more than what the rental company may bill you in the name of penalties and fees cannot be a saner option, after all.

Another expense that you may have to pay at the end of the car lease is the penalty for surpassing the fixed mileage charge. If you have exhausted your mileage capping, you could be fined up to 25 cents per mile more than what was stated in the agreement. And, there’s practically nothing that you can do to get it waived off. When the moment arrives, you’ll have to pay the over-mileage tax.

In addition to preparing your vehicle for sending it back to the dealer, if you intend to lease again, it is also a good time to draw your budget. Proper research will give you enough background that can help you crack the best deal and get home a car that fits well with your requirements too.

What happens at the end of a car lease? 6

Turn the car in and walk out.

The rate of new car sales in the United States is approximately 17 million per annum. Some basic calculation suggests that if 30 percent of its total auto buyers lease car, then monthly about 400,000 to 500,000 auto loans come to an end.

If you want to trade over your leased car and walk away, the leasing agreement has got all the clauses to enable the same. There’s no need to keep the car if you don’t intend to once the agreement has reached the termination stage. However, you’ll still need to reimburse the penalties, kms driven and processing fees as applicable before surrendering the vehicle.

To know more about the online car leasing mechanism and attractive offers available with the buyer, visit us now at Oz Leasing.

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Essential Things to Consider With BMW Car Leasing

BMW is undoubtedly one of your dreams. Its dynamism is something one cannot stop appreciating! There is numerous numbers of simple, smart and flexible designs which are especially created to provide assurance and also enhance your driving pleasure!

Essential Things to Consider With BMW Car Leasing 8

BMW is undoubtedly a dream car for various reasons. Its features are unbeatable. Luxury, refinement and technology are the areas which are a priority in this car.

BMW is not only a car but a status symbol for many! The reputed BMW Company can come up with the best features now and then to make it approachable to its customers. It is not a matter of thought, why every other second the BMW customer selects BMW services. There are various factors which are needed to be considered while going ahead with your BMW Car Lease deal.

The most flexible lease offered by BMW!

Explore your BMW car lease deal!

There are multitudes of things which are to be considered while considering the BMW Leasing Offers. Your budget, yearly mileage, the specific terms and conditions, the leasing range of the products have all the possibilities lying for you.

It can be indeed said that all the leasing options have one fundamental thing in common, which is it is hassle-free and also consists of outstanding flexibility which is comfortable. The only thing that has to consider is that you need to select what is considered best for you.

So many-a-times the customers might be confused about whether they should lease their BMW or not? Undoubtedly BMW car lease will offer several different benefits, so basically it is a good idea to before heading out to the first car lease contract.

Thus there are few Dos and Don’ts one should keep in mind while BMW Car Leasing:

Negotiation of the purchase price should be done: Considering the competition in the market, there is a large number of car dealers who offers many great BMW car deals, including comparatively low payment options. Though the interest rate will highly be proportional to the credit history, still you may have the chance to figure out something suitable. On the contrary, you might be able to negotiate the selling price of the vehicle. It could be a lucky deal for you!

Reading all the terms and conditions on a mandatory basis:
While shopping for the lease of your BMW car, you might come to various schemes which may sound too good to be true. However, after reading the final condition, you will find out a misleading term. So it is essential to understand the terms and conditions and only then make a BMW car lease deal.

Avoid terminating your Lease early:
The biggest mistake you can commit with your lease is terminating it soon. It is essential to carry on with a long term contract. So an appropriate discussion with your BMW Car dealer beforehand can be beneficial.

Go for a Zero to Low Down payment:
Experts mostly suggest a customer go for a zero or a low down payment and here are various reasons why it is beneficial. When you lease a BMW, it’s not probably owned by you. You are just paying for your use and a specified period. Hence, if you make a large initial payment, and unfortunately it is stolen or wrecked in the initial months, you would go broke! No money, no car! Though the insurance company would compensate by the reimbursement, it can be a huge financial setback for you. Always play safe! It is rightly said, Be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Thus, BMW financial Plans aim to make your experience of owning your dream car BMW as enjoyable while driving. So their services offer you a range of car finance options which are created according to your needs. But still owning your dream, but smartly is the most crucial thing an intellectual person should understand. Thus there are various things you need to consider with BMW Car leasing. Your dreams of BMW are just a step away, and so grab it. Take care of the suggestions and drive your dream car on the roads! You are all set to go!

Essential Things to Consider With BMW Car Leasing 9

Leasing 101: Five Money Saving Facts About Auto Leasing

Want to know Five Fabulous Facts about auto leasing?

Suppose you suddenly need a new vehicle. You have three options: buying, leasing, or renting. You typically only rent for a short period, which won’t prove ideal in most scenarios. While you still don’t own the car, auto leasing has tons of advantages over buying that gives more financial freedom, for example with trade-ins. You can read a full comparison of the pros and cons on our other blog, “Leasing vs. Buying a Car: What’s Right for You?”.

Though to many of us, auto leasing is a scary process filled with ambiguity and a mountain of paperwork. Especially if you’re dealing with a traditional salesperson, you might find it difficult to trust you’re really getting the best deal possible. After all, you’d be dealing with a slick marketer that’s looking to make a profit off your ignorance. Your best bet is always to walk into the negotiating table armed with the best information possible to get the car of your dreams with a plan to meet your budget needs.

You should attempt to do some research yourself, but let’s be realistic. You have a busy schedule and probably don’t have time to invest in studying the lease process. What do you do?… There are many leasing sites on the internet that provide a new and innovative solution to meet your lease needs. It’s simple: shop online and cut out the salesperson altogether so that you have complete control of lease process! You don’t have to waste time wagering your lease terms back and forth with a stranger. Instead, you select the make and model, mileage, down payment, and term. Then, state-of-the-art programs will auto calculate an estimate for you! After a quick follow up call, you’ll confirm some information and finalize the deal. It’s as simple as that! You’ll finish the whole process within 5 minutes from your sofa, and the vehicle will be delivered to your doorstep within 2 business days. With incredible technology like this available, there’s no need to walk into dealerships anymore.

Still, you might still feel overwhelmed by the prospect of taking the reins of everything in the lease process. It’s a simple process but still requires some level of judgment. You’ll want the most efficient and stylish vehicle possible without busting your bank. So, for your benefit, I’ve developed a guide for five facts you must know about auto leasing. By the end of this blog, you’ll understand key tips and tricks to make the most of any lease offer.

#1 – Not All Cars Lease for the Same Rate

Leasing means you’re paying for the value of the vehicle over the course of the term (or length of the lease in months). This isn’t a flat rate since the value of the car gradually decreases over time after everyday wear and tear. The rate at which a particular vehicle decreases in value over time is known as the “depreciation rate” and fluctuates with the market values depending on the manufacturer. Typically, a new car will depreciate by 20% after the first year, meaning a $20,000 vehicle will only be worth about $16,000. If you lease a car with a high depreciation value, you’ll have a much lower monthly payment, though it will also be worth way less for a trade-in (known as “residual value”). Most cars lose value for good reasons. Perhaps new technology has made specific features obsolete or even unsafe in comparison. You should consider the reliability of the vehicle over time if you want to keep it for longer than 5 years. Depreciation is always an estimate and a significant risk. At any time the manufacturer can release a new model that then lowers the value of older ones or might recall components of the vehicle. The problem is you pay the depreciation value based on the start of the lease, not a flexible percentage.

Lease dealers might also adjust the interest rates for specific vehicles. Keep an eye out for changes in our listings.

#2 – You Need Tough Negotiating to Get the Right Lease Deal

Auto leasing is similar to renting an apartment in that the exact terms of the agreement are negotiable. So, put on your poker face and get tough about getting the right deal! Start by gathering research on your desired vehicle. Know the value of every feature inside and out to weigh their worth into the lease deal. You should also get estimates from several competitors to get a range of estimates. Then, double check those estimates against a free online lease calculator. This extra step will give you an objective sense of what the general price should be around – though that’s the highest it should be! Decide on a desired lower price that fits your budget. Now when you enter the lease dealer’s office, you’ll have a frame of mind to reject obviously absurd offers. Don’t get taken advantage of by anyone – including Oz Leasing! Hold us accountable using your own research.

Having the right knowledge to negotiate is one thing – being mentally prepared and confident to call someone out is quite another! Don’t be intimidated or let the dealer do all the talking. Ask lots of questions to make sure they can back up their estimate. Don’t lose your cool and explode on them either. If you’d feel more comfortable, bring a close friend or your spouse along to support you.

#3 – You Don’t Have to Place a Down Payment

Down payments are an advance payment you make on a lease that lower the costs of your monthly payments (generally known as “cap cost reduction”). While it’s a great idea, in theory, it always benefits the dealer more than you. If you ever got in an accident or, heaven forbid, the vehicle was stolen, you would never get this money back. That’s right – down payments are nonrefundable. Even if you suddenly wanted to terminate the lease, the down payment is lost money. Many dealers, like Oz Leasing, allow you make a zero down payment (0%), but some draft contract that requires a 10-20% down. That should be a huge red flag for you.

Instead of placing a down payment, if you chose to invest that money in a financing plan with a separate account in your bank, you’d actually save some money in the long-run.

#4 – Meeting Your Monthly Lease Payments Can Boost Your Credit Score

Auto leasing is more affordable than buying it, but you usually need a good credit score for the dealer to approve you, typically an above 680. However, if you struggle with your credit score, you may have a larger signing fee.

The good news is meeting your monthly lease payments can be an easy way to boost your credit score. All you need to do is commit to paying on time, every time! Usually, if you’re in a crisis, you can renegotiate the terms of your agreement. Just be sure not to get in over your head and sign an unrealistic deal given your situation. Evaluate your finances carefully and consult with your credit union about what’s best for your circumstances.

#5 – You Could Qualify for Cash Equity at the End of Your Auto Leasing Term

Remember that residual value? Well, that was just an established estimate by the dealer. But, as I said, anything can change in the market during your lease. If it happens that the value of the car has actually increased by the end of your lease agreement more than it was worth at the beginning, you may qualify for a cash payout. This possibility is huge if you plan to trade in the vehicle at any point. You’ll want to wait for the optimal time to get the most money back out of the dealer. Take some time and study the market trends or consult an expert from the manufacturer. It will be well worth it in the end.

Also, if you drove fewer miles than you paid under the lease agreement, the dealer may opt to turn anything leftover into a cash credit. Make sure that stipulation is spelled out at the beginning before you sign!

There you go – 5 facts you cannot live without if you plan to lease. Always stay informed to make the best possible choice for the car of your dreams. And if you need any help or have any questions when getting a new auto lease, let’s work together to get you the deal of a lifetime!

The Benefits of Leasing the 2020 Honda Accord

Selecting a car is a big decision. If you aren’t quite ready to purchase a car, then leasing might be for you. If you’re in the market for a lease, look no further than the 2020 Honda Accord.

Although the Accord has historically been one of Honda’s most reliable options each year, drivers will still be pleasantly surprised with what Honda did with the 2020 Honda Accord. In this post, we’re going to take a closer at the Honda Accord as a whole in order to help you determine if it’s the car for you. Here we go!

Design

Simply put, the 2020 Honda Accord is a beautiful car.

In fact, it’s so beautiful that it’s difficult to pin down what exactly makes it stand out so much. However, the first aspect that catches most people’s eyes is the strong front-end. Between the imposing front grille and the modern LED headlights, the 2020 Honda Accord stands out whether it’s daytime or nighttime.

Moving along the sides of the car, the elegant body lines create a sophisticated look that’s unmatched by any other sedan on the market. Combined with the sleek wheel design, the 2020 Honda Accord stands strong on the road.

Interior

While the 2020 Accord is beautiful on the outside, the interior of the car is where most drivers fall in love.

Mostly due to comfort.

The interior of the car features premium materials like leather and wood to give it a classy vibe, and the 10-way adjustable seats ensure that both drivers and passengers are comfortable at all times. On the EX-L, EX-L V6, and Touring models, the Accord even comes standard with leather accessories and luxury seats for passengers in the rear.

In the Touring Model, there are heated exterior seats, with two temperature levels to choose from, for passengers in the back.

Technology

While enjoying the comfort of the 2019 Accord, drivers and passengers also have access to world-class technology.

If you’re feeling a little bit lazy, it’s cold, or you’re in a hurry, you don’t have to worry. The 2020 Honda Accord features an available remote engine start that also allows you to preheat or precool the interior of the car so that it’s the perfect temperature when you get in.

The 2020 Accord also comes standard with a multi-angle rearview camera. This new camera has the capability for three different views to keep you and those around you safe: normal, extended, and superior.

If that isn’t enough, this year’s Accord also features Honda LaneWatch. For those who worry about changing lanes safely, LaneWatch will make your life significantly easier. If you point to your right, the LaneWatch system then shows you live video on your touchscreen that’s almost four times larger than what you can see in your passenger mirror.

Speaking of the in-car touchscreen, drivers can easily sync their devices to the car using the HondaLink technology. You can use either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to access your music, photos, videos, messages, and phone calls without ever taking your eyes off of the road.

Safety Features

With all of this technology, it makes sense that the 2020 Honda Accord is one of the safest cars on the road.

Here are just a few of the important safety features on this year’s model:

Honda Sending: A set of safety and driver assistance technologies, Honda Sensing brings things to attention that you may otherwise miss.
Lane Assist System: If your car starts to move into another lane without using a turn signal, the Lane Assist System corrects your steering wheel to keep you in your lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control: If you’re using cruise control, the Adaptive Cruise Control system helps to keep you within a safe distance of the car in front of you. If you’re getting too close, the Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically slow you down.

Collision Mitigating Braking System: If your car detects that you’re on a path to a collision, the Collision Mitigating Braking System slows down your vehicle to avoid an accident.

Performance

However, nothing matters if the car doesn’t perform well.

Luckily, the 2020 Honda Accord is one of the highest performing vehicles in its class. The engine that comes standard with the 2020 Accord is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower. It is available as either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Drivers also have the option to upgrade to a more powerful engine. Coming standard on the Touring model and available on the Accord EX-L model, the 3.5-liter V6 engine produces an impressive 278 horsepower.

Finally, there is also a hybrid option for those looking to increase their fuel economy. The 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine combines with two generators to produce 212 horsepower. It also gets an impressive EPA-estimated 49 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway.

Why Oz Leasing?

Oz Leasing provides drivers with the most affordable and convenient way to lease the 2020 Honda Accord.

If you are interested in leasing the 2020 Honda Accord, all that you have to do to get started is to fill out the online registration form so that we know what you need. After you’ve filled out your registration form, we take care of all of the confusing details for you.

The experts at Oz Leasing, Fort Lauderdale auto leasing headquarters, will search through dealers all over the country. They will then negotiate the best possible price on your behalf. Using our proprietary payment calculator, you can then choose the down payment that works best for you and your situation. However, if you don’t want to make a down payment, we also offer custom plans with zero down payment.

If you’re interested in learning more about what Oz Leasing can do for you, don’t hesitate to call us at (954) 256-8357. Our in-house lease agents can walk you through any questions that you might have.

What do you think about the 2020 Honda Accord? Let us know in the comments section below!

Also, don’t forget to follow Oz Leasing on Facebook to get the latest news and promotions.

How to end your car lease without issues

Your car lease is ending soon. Looking at the dent in the driver’s door, you wonder if you’ll be charged for it. Or maybe you’ve exceeded the mileage limit and you’re bracing for a big hit. But you can avoid common issues like these if you know how the game is played.

“The consumer holds more power than they think,” says Scot Hall, executive vice president of operations for Swapalease , which matches leaseholders with car shoppers looking to take over a lease.

Insuring a Leased Car – What You Need to Know

Driving brand new cars every couple of years with low monthly costs is a great option to have, but all that money you save won’t mean anything if you end up having to pay huge out of pocket expenses after an accident.

Before signing any lease agreement, it’s important to understand how to get appropriately insured so that when you are involved in a collision, you can get the vehicle repaired or replaced at little to no cost. Wouldn’t you rather be putting that money toward your next vacation?

When you lease a car, you are still responsible for carrying insurance on it to legally drive. Just like when you purchase a new car outright, you are required by law in most states to be insured the moment you drive it off the lot.

Choosing insurance for a leased car is much the same as a purchased vehicle, but there are a few additional factors to consider before finalizing your lease.

Even though you don’t own the car, you are responsible for paying the debt and fulfilling your contractual obligations outlined in your agreement if you suffer a collision or total loss of the vehicle.

Thus, it is vital that you are protected in these unfortunate circumstances to lessen your financial risk. For that reason, we are going to discuss how auto insurance applies to leased vehicles, break down some of your mandatory coverage, and discuss how to protect yourself when insuring a leased vehicle. Want to know more about auto leasing? Read more here about how to get the most out of your auto lease.

Understanding Leasing Insurance Obligations

When you enter into a lease agreement, you are promising to return the vehicle in good condition, minus normal wear and tear. For this reason, you are responsible for maintaining and repairing the car, and in the event of a total loss, reimbursing the leaseholder for the remainder of the purchase price.

Having adequate insurance is just as, if not more important to those who choose to lease. Though the leaseholder is being repaid instead of you personally, the result is the same. Not having the right coverage could cost you thousands.

Minimum Coverage and Leasing

The majority of states require minimum amounts of coverage. The exact requirements vary by state. For more information on state laws regarding insurance coverage, contact your state’s transportation authority.

These mandatory coverages usually include various liability policies and personal injury protection. Mainly covering damage that you cause to persons or property when you are at fault for an accident. These laws exist to protect every motorist from being injured or losing property without being compensated.

However, when leasing a car, you won’t be allowed only to have the minimum amount of coverage. The leasing company will likely require you to carry collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance is exactly what it sounds like; it covers the damage your car suffers after a collision with another vehicle or any other object.

Collision insurance covers you when you are at fault for the accident. When the collision is another driver’s fault, your insurance will try to collect the money they paid you from the other person’s insurance company and reimburse you for the deductible.

Keep in mind that your collision coverage will carry a separate deductible from your comprehensive policy.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers damage or loss to your vehicle caused by just about anything that is not a collision. Theft, fire, hitting animals and natural disaster are a few examples of incidents this coverage covers.

These two additional coverages are almost always required by leasing companies to protect them from significant financial losses. Even on the off chance that they weren’t, it would be smart to purchase them anyway.

Additional Coverage to Protect Yourself When Insuring a Leased Vehicle

There are a couple of policy options available to drivers of leased vehicles that are worth considering.

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is an optional policy that covers the “gap” between the purchase price of a vehicle and the vehicle’s current market value. This coverage is even more important for lessees than car buyers because when buying a car, a down payment can be made to offset the gap and see the buyer protected when unforeseen circumstances cause their vehicle to be totaled.

While you can make a down payment on a lease, this serves to lower the monthly payments by reducing the amount of monthly interest paid and is usually not reimbursed when the vehicle is totaled.

When you lease a car, even though you aren’t purchasing it, it still has a purchase price. You will be responsible for that amount in the event of a total loss. Because a car’s value depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot, it’s wise to have gap coverage so that you don’t owe the dealer thousands more than the insurance company will pay.

In some cases, the leaseholder may require you to have gap insurance, and sometimes the cost of the coverage will already be included in your lease payments. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), this happens because dealers will purchase a “master policy” for their entire fleet of leased vehicles, then charge to include a “gap waiver” in your agreement. Be sure to ask your leaseholder about gap insurance, and if they did not already include it, consider purchasing it from your insurance provider.

OEM Parts Coverage

Many lease agreements include a requirement that any repairs conducted during the lease term be done using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. This means that you must replace damaged parts with ones identical to those used by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

Unfortunately, most insurance policies don’t stipulate what parts can be used for the repair, and third-party components cost 20-50% less than originals. When this happens, the lessee is responsible for paying the difference.

The good news is, many insurance companies offer an OEM parts coverage as an option, sometimes at a minimal additional cost. Before you sign your lease agreement, ask your dealer whether they require OEM parts and if so, contact your insurance company to ask about this option.

The Powerful Advantages of the Oz Auto Lease Calculator

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When leasing a car, you want to choose the best car available for your budget. However, that isn’t always as easy as it sounds. You have to find the right year, brand, and model that fits both your personality and your bank account. To make things even more difficult, you’ll often have a slick salesperson at the dealership trying to sell you a vehicle that you can’t really afford because they want to make a few extra dollars. However, Oz Leasing is changing the way that people lease their vehicle. With our auto lease calculator, you can find a car that you want within your budget.

At Oz Leasing, we do our best to ensure that you get yourself into a nice vehicle that you can actually afford. We cut out the traditional salesperson so that you never even have to step foot into a dealership. Instead, we offer you a completely online selection and checkout process. You can pick the car of your dreams from the comfort of your living room sofa! Then, we promise to deliver the vehicle to your doorstep within two business days.

As part of that mission, we developed a proprietary lease calculator that you can use from any device to determine what you can actually afford. Let’s take a closer look at what the lease calculator actually does and how you can use it to make the most informed lease choices.

Important Auto Lease Calculator Terms and Definitions

A lease calculator doesn’t do you much good if you don’t understand the terms that we’re using. Before we dive into what the lease calculator does for you, we first need to understand some important terms and definitions that you may run into while using our calculator:

Purchase Price – The amount of money that you pay for the car.
Down Payment – The amount of money that you pay to the dealer that is then subtracted from the purchase rate. This will determine the amount of money that is financed.
Term – When you sign a lease, the “term” is the length of the contract in months. Normally, you can extend your lease term by updating your agreement.
Trade-in Allowance – When you trade in your lease car, the trade-in allowance is the value of your old car.
Sales Tax Percentage – During your lease term, the sales tax percentage is the tax that you pay throughout the contract.
New Car Interest Rate – The interest that you pay on the loan.
Residual Value – The residual value of the car is how much the car is worth at the end of the lease term. If you decide to purchase the car at the end of your lease, you’ll likely use the residual value of the car to make the purchase.
Wear and Tear – The normal amount of stress on the vehicle caused by your use.
Depreciation Fee – How much value your car loses due to age, mileage, and wear.
Monthly Payment – How much money you’ll pay every month until the end of your contract.
Capitalized Cost – In the case of a leased car, the capitalized cost is the flat price of the vehicle.
Lease Fee – A small fee that you pay when you lease a car.
Pre-Tax Monthly Payment – How much money you pay each month during your lease minus the taxes.
Monthly Sales Tax Payment – The tax added to your monthly bill.

How Does The Auto Lease Calculator Work?

If you visit any vehicle’s page from our listing, you’ll see a ton of options you can manipulate to adjust your monthly payments. All of these different items are factored into the calculator’s algorithm to give you a fair price.

We’ve made things simple a three-step process:

Pick Your Color = on any page you’ll notice on the right side we have listed the MSRP and set monthly rate (which excludes taxes and is default to the lowest mileage plan). Just below those numbers are your color options. Every car has at least a half dozen beautiful colors to select. And, when you click one, it will automatically generate a preview of the car with that color. You can control the exterior and interior color scheme to match your preferences.
Select Your Mileage Plan = next, you’ll want to choose your monthly mileage plan. Think of what best will suit you. If you just travel to work and back, pick the lowest option. But if you plan on driving on epic road trips, pick one of the higher packages. You have the option to choose between 7,500, 10,000, 12,000, and 15,000 miles. Each option will automatically adjust the pricing below.
Choose Your Down Payment = Next you can use the slider to adjust you much you wish to place as a down payment. As you drag the slider higher, the pricing will automatically adjust to a new price. Keep in mind, you’re never obligated to place a down payment. You can also simply type in a number for a down payment. Feel free to play around with the options to get the price you’re comfortable with for your lease payment.

For Example:

Okay, so that sounds simple enough. Let’s see how it works on a real car from our listing. The ever-popular 2017 Audi RS7 is a great all-around sports motor sure to please any luxury fan. We list the car’s MSRP at $111,650. Lucky for you we offer the car at more affordable lease rate at around $1670 per month. Plus, you can cancel the lease or upgrade it at any time.

That number assumes you pick the lowest mileage plan of 7,500 miles. But let’s say you plan on driving it more often than that and need the 10,000-mile plan. In that case, the calculator automatically adjusts the price to $1,715.

If you decide that’s a bit too expensive for you each month, you could decide to place a down payment. Maybe you really liked the $1,670 rate with the lower mileage plan. After playing around the down payment slider, you’ll find that you’d need to pay $1,800 upfront to lower your monthly payment to that rate using the 10,000-mile plan.

4 Reasons The Oz Calculator Will Give You an Advantage in the Lease Process

With a better understanding of some of the terms that you’ll see while using our calculator, let’s take a look at what our lease calculator can do for you.

There are several reasons as to why using a lease calculator is gives a power advantage.

Here are four you need to know:

1 – Keeping the Salesperson Accountable

Firstly, you simply can’t believe everything that a car dealer tells you. Even if you aren’t leasing from us, you should check the dealer’s math to ensure that you’re paying the correct amount. Everyone makes mistakes, so it’s important that you enter the numbers that the dealer gave to you into our calculator just to double check that you have the right amount or they aren’t taking advantage of you. Our calculator uses the same formula as dealers and lease companies throughout the United States and programmed with state-of-the-art technology to automate a quick estimate for any vehicle.

2 – More Informed Purchasing Power

Second, and maybe most importantly, using our lease calculator helps you figure out exactly how much of the car you can afford to lease. By working backward with your results, you’ll be able to set a budget for yourself. After entering all of the given values, you’ll be left with the monthly payment that you’ll be expected to make. If it’s above what you can afford, you’ll know that you need to check different options. Go back and change the numbers until you find the one that works for you. Perhaps you could adjust your down payment or mileage plan to find a rate that works for your needs.

You also can adjust colors on the fly with an automatically generated preview! For instance, on the BMW lease calculator for the BMW X5, you can switch from a gorgeous jet black with a brown interior to a beautiful glacier silver metallic with a tan cabin trim. There are literally hundreds of color combinations for you to experiment with at Oz Leasing.

3 – More Confident Negotiating

Knowing the different values and resulting monthly payment plans gives you more negotiating power when you go to a dealership to lease your car. Often, you’ll find that people try to overcharge in the beginning. Supposedly these traditional lease agents are “experts” but really just want an extra buck off you. Now, you can enter the sit at the negotiating table with real evidence of the value of the vehicle. Our math doesn’t lie and is simply based on a formula provided by the manufacturer. It’s your job to know what everything should cost and to negotiate it down to a price that you can afford.

4 – Quick Manipulating Options Down to the Price You Need

Last, using our calculator to manipulate different variables like the residual percentage, down payment, or term shows you how these factors affect the overall price. Thus, you have a better idea of what to look for in a lease to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Get Started Today

At Oz Leasing, we’ve set out to make the leasing process significantly easier for the consumer. Whereas traditional car dealerships often want to make an extra dollar at any cost, we have your best interest in mind.

We want you to get the best deal on a lease that you can, and we provide you with all of the tools that you need to do that. We’ll even negotiate on your behalf to get you a lower price on your car so that you never have to talk with a salesperson.

However, not everyone will decide to lease a car through our company. We’ve provided you with our proprietary calculator to use as a tool to get yourself the best deal that you can no matter what company you choose.

If you have any questions about leasing a car, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to give our qualified professionals a call today at (954) 893-2805.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1512414829933{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#00c2ff”][vc_column_text]

Discover even more leasing information:

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