Benjamin Preston on Muck Rack

Benjamin Preston

New York
As seen in: MSN, MSN Canada, The New York Times, Color Research & Application, The Economic Times, The Guardian, Yahoo News, New York Daily News, Yahoo Finance, Boston.com and
Covers:  Automotive, transportation, infrastructure, environment, arts, business, and more. Most interested in human drama.
Doesn't Cover: Health and beauty products, novelty gizmos, miracle cures (unless there's an interesting charlatan behind all of it).
Autos Reporter, Consumer Reports. Views are my own.

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Benjamin Preston’s Biography

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Benjamin Preston’s reporting—his life, really—has taken him from Baghdad to the U.S.-Mexico border, and everywhere in between. He is a dogged reporter and writer with literary insight who can also save your life, fix your car, or chat with you in Italian. His kaleidoscopic personal experience gives him common ground with just about anyone, which in turn confers a unique ability to listen to people, empathize with them, and transform their stories into engaging narratives.

Benjamin’s early caree…

Benjamin Preston’s Journalist Portfolio

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How to save big on your car insurance

How to save big on your car insurance

Tips and tricks on how to navigate surging car insurance premiums.

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The 25:55 Solo Cannonball Record May Have Been Faked

The 25:55 Solo Cannonball Record May Have Been Faked

Why cheat on a race most people have never heard of and don't care about? A deep dive into an obscure group o…

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A 9-Day Journey Along the Most Controversial Strip of Land in Trump's America

A 9-Day Journey Along the Most Controversial Strip of Land in Trump's America

More than a political rallying cry, the Mexican border is its own unique ecosystem. A close look at people's …

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Winning the Peace

Winning the Peace

An in-depth look at Santa Barbara's army reserve unit as they work to rebuild Iraq amid sectarian violence. F…

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The Strange Short Flight of Flat Earth Rocket Man

The Strange Short Flight of Flat Earth Rocket Man

One part conspiracy theorist, one part daredevil, and 100-percent homegrown chutzpah, "Mad" Mike Hughes would…

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V8 Expats Find New Owners in an Ancient Land

V8 Expats Find New Owners in an Ancient Land

Ali Hebi, a barber who lives in a small village in Israel, owns a car rarely seen in the Middle East: a 1978 …

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Articles

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates

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By Benjamin Preston
| Consumer Reports
You can save by taking a look at your current policy. Here are the key moves to make and when to switch insurers. February 25, 2025 Illustration: Federico Gastaldi You’ve probably seen your annual car insurance premium go up over the past few years. Most people have. In 2024 alone, according to Bankrate, the typical policyholder’s premium increased by 26 percent, to more than $2,500 a year. There are several factors contributing to these soaring prices.
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How to Clear Your Personal Data From a Car

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By Benjamin Preston
| Consumer Reports
Before you sell a vehicle, you need to delete your sensitive information from the car's infotainment system, apps, and anywhere else it’s stored February 12, 2025 Illustration: Lacey Browne/Consumer Reports, Getty Images Many modern cars function like a phone or tablet. They run apps and pair with other devices, and some can even be operated remotely.
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How to Handle Repairs From a Car Crash

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By Benjamin Preston
| Consumer Reports
CR’s experts share guidance on getting collision damage fixed January 31, 2025 Illustration: Kiersten Essenpreis Modern high-tech safety features—automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), lane departure warning (LDW)—have been very effective at preventing crashes, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.
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See all 664 licensed articles (693 Total)

Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

I was the obituaries editor at the Santa Barbara Independent.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

I learned how to type on an IBM Selectric II, and wrote papers on a Royal Safari all through college—in the late-'90s!

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Hunter Thompson. Even though he wasn't fictional, his exploits were legendary.

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