Effective date: October 16, 2026
Last updated: October 16, 2026
Introduction
This policy explains what information carcostwise.com ("CarCostWise," "we," "us") collects, how we use it and the choices you have. The site is intended for users in the United States.
Information we collect
- Usage data: pages viewed, device and browser type, approximate location and referral source, recorded in standard server logs, by Microsoft Clarity and Google Analytics cookies and, once ads are shown, by advertising cookies.
- Contact information: your name, email address and message if you contact us.
- Advertising data: cookie and device identifiers used by ad partners.
Calculator inputs
Our calculators process the values you enter in your browser. We do not store or collect calculator inputs on our servers.
Contact form data
If you email us or use a contact form, we use the information only to respond to you and to improve the site. We do not sell it.
Analytics
We use Microsoft Clarity to understand how visitors use the site and to improve it. Clarity records how you interact with pages (such as clicks, scrolling and mouse movement) and creates heatmaps and session replays. It uses first-party and third-party cookies and collects device and browser information. Clarity masks sensitive text on the page, and we do not use it to identify you personally. Microsoft processes this data under the Microsoft Privacy Statement; learn more about Clarity at clarity.microsoft.com. You can block these cookies in your browser settings.
Our web server also keeps standard access logs (such as IP address, browser type, the page requested and the time of the request) for security and troubleshooting. We use Google Search Console, which gives us aggregated search statistics and does not place cookies on your device.
We also use Google Analytics 4 to measure how many people visit the site, which pages they read and how they found us. Google Analytics uses cookies and collects information such as pages viewed, device and browser type, approximate location and referral source. Google processes this data under the Google Privacy Policy; learn how Google uses data from sites that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on or by blocking cookies in your browser.
We use Grow by Mediavine to offer reader features such as saving articles and, where enabled, subscribe options. Grow loads a script from grow.me that may set cookies and collect information about how you use the site, such as pages viewed and device type. Mediavine processes this data under the Mediavine Privacy Policy.
Advertising and cookies
We use Google AdSense to show ads. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
Google's use of advertising cookies, including the DoubleClick cookie, enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this site and other sites on the internet.
You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info.
Third-party vendors
Third-party vendors, including Google, may place and read cookies on your browser, or use web beacons or IP addresses, to collect information when ads appear on our site. We do not control these technologies. Vendors' own privacy policies apply to their use.
Managing cookies
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some site features and ads may not work as expected if you do.
Your California privacy rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect and how we use it, to request deletion or correction of it, to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information, and to not be treated differently for using these rights. Some ad-related data sharing may count as "sharing" under California law; you can opt out using the ad settings links above. To make a request, email contact@carcostwise.com. We will verify and respond within the time required by law.
Children's privacy
The site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.
Data retention and security
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above. We use reasonable safeguards, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date shows the latest revision.
Contact
Questions? Email contact@carcostwise.com or visit our contact page.