How Well Do You Know The PA School Bus Stopping Law?

Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. Car-Lotta Reminds You That Schools Will Re-Open SOON.... Well, maybe!

What Do You Use To Was Your Automobile?

For many vehicle owners, washing a car by hand is a therapeutic act as beneficial for the person's state of mind as to the vehicle's appearance. Fequent washing is also the best way to maintain a new-car finish. As simple as washing your autoseems, there are some things to watch for so that you don't accidentally scratch or degrade the finish. Here are some basic car-washing tips. Don't... use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These aren't formulated for use on a car's paint and may strip off the protective wax. Do... use a dedicated car-wash product, which is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint. Apply the suds with a large, soft natural sponge or a lamb's-wool mitt. Grease, rubber, and road-tar that is picked up from the road often accumulate around the wheel wells and along the lower edge of the body. These can be stubborn to remove and may require a stronger product, such as a bug-and-tar remover. Use a soft, nonabrasive cloth to remove these deposits, as they can quickly blacken your sponge. Do... use a separate sponge to clean the wheels and tires, which may be coated with sand, brake dust, and other debris that could mar the car's finish. Mild soap and water may work here; if not, a dedicated wheel cleaner may be required. Be sure the cleaner is compatible with the type of finish (paint, clear-coat, chrome, etc.) used on the wheels. A strong formula intended for mag wheels, for instance, can damage the clear coat that's used on the wheels that come on today's cars. To be on the safe side, choose a cleaner that's labeled as safe for use on all wheels. Car-Lotta wants you to keep your 4 wheel baby clean!!!

Who Is Driving Your Vehicle

Do You Ever Let Someone Drive Your Vehicle ? If you own a vehicle, chances are you've let a friend or family member borrow it at least once. There are plenty of reasons to hand over the keys. Maybe you needed a relative to pick up your kids from school or you're helping someone get to work after their car broke down. Did you know that in the event of an accident... it's your auto insurance policy that would have to pay? The number one misconception about loaning out your vehicle is that if you let your neighbor borrow your car, an accident should go on their insurance because he or she was the one driving but in private passenger auto insurance, the coverage typically follows the vehicle, not the driver . Let's break it down. DOES MY CAR INSURANCE COVER OTHER DRIVERS? Insured drivers include: Resident relatives: Most personal auto policies provide coverage to the named insured, their spouse or domestic partner and any other resident relatives. So if someone is a member of your family and lives in your home, they're automatically an insured under your policy unless excluded. Domestic partners: If someone lives with you but isn't a relative, they are not named insureds under your policy. However, if you're living with a domestic partner, they can be added to your policy as a named insured but only if your relationship is the long-term, committed type - you share domestic responsibilities and have joint financial obligations. All you have to do is call your agent and let them know. They'll send out a short driver questionnaire and check your partner's driving record to determine eligibility. Someone with permissive use: If you loaned out your vehicle to a friend or neighbor, your policy generally will cover them - as long as you gave your permission. If they are a regular and repeated user of the car, they should also have coverage. The only exception is if a driver has been specifically excluded on your policy. Finally: If someone else is regularly driving your car, it's important to let your agent know. Chances are, anyone you let borrow your car will fall into one of these three categories. Car-Lotta reminds you that just because someone is covered doesn't mean loaning your car is risk-free.

How Ofter Do You Wash Your Auto

Have you ever parked your car at the office or grocery store only to come back and find that a ‘helpful’ citizen has written ‘please wash me’ across the back?

 

 It’s  funny when that message is on someone else’s auto, but it’s extremely disheartening when that mud-caked dust-adorned vehicle belongs to you.

 

With a busy schedule and seemingly more important things to do, washing your auto often falls by the wayside-

The general rule of thumb is to wash your car every two weeks or so. There are special circumstances that might increase or decrease that frequency.  If you keep it in a garage and only drive once or twice a month, such regular washing might not be necessary.

What’s important is that you take care of your vehicle—yes, even its outside. Washing your car frequently is a great and ultimately inexpensive way of protecting your investment in it.

Car-Lotta wants you to make sure you’re setting aside some time for routine  washes!

Doe Your Auto Insurance Cover Vandelism?

If you have the right auto insurance coverage, you’ll usually be covered in the event of vandalism. Comprehensive coverage can pay for damages that occur outside of a auto accident, such as vandalism, fire or theft, minus your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay toward fixing or repairing your car before your insurance kicks in.

This coverage, as well as collision coverage, may be required by your lender if you still owe money on your auto. It’s optional if you own your vehicle outright. But given the cost of repairing a vandalized vehicle, you may find it unwise to go without it. Your local  agent can help you decide the amount of coverage that makes the most sense for you.

Repair costs will vary based on your vehicle’s make and model as well as the extent of the damage. Without the right protection, you’ll pay for those repairs out of your pocket.

Comprehensive coverage can help cover expenses to fix broken locks, windows and whatever else the culprit decided to smash.  Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to check with your  agent to see if your policy covers vandalism and what else you can do to protect your investment.

Has Your Auto Ever Been Vandalized?

 

Garage or no garage, vandals can always find ways to make a mess if they’re persistent. When your automobile  is covered in scratches and spray paint, there are steps you can take to help make the claims process as quick and easy as possible.

 

Take these steps to make sure you’re covered:

• Document the scene. Record the damage with pictures, videos and notes. You may overlook important details in the heat of the moment, and they’ll come in handy with the authorities and your insurance company.
• Don’t touch anything. Your car becomes evidence once it’s been vandalized, so be sure to keep things as they are. If you try to fix the damage yourself, it could make matters worse and affect the police report.
• File a police report. Filing a claim without a police report may look suspicious to an insurance company. Call the police to get a record of the crime. Remember to request a copy for yourself to use when filing your claim.
• Call your agent. Contact your insurance company to file a claim and be sure to submit all available information. They may send a claims adjuster to assess the damage. In that case, stay in touch with your agent so you know what your next steps are.
• Get it repaired. During the claims process, you’ll need to transport your car to a safe place in the same condition you found it. If your car is unsafe to drive, have it towed to a body shop and leave any repairs to the professionals.

 

 

                               Car-Lotta Car Sales  wants to keep you informed

How Oftern Do You Disinfect Your Automobile??

                Do You Disinfect Your Auto  ?

The first step to cleaning and disinfecting your  vehicles interior is to choose the cleaning agents and materials. Depending on whether you have leather, cloth, or imitation leather upholstery, steps and cleaning agents will differ.

Steps for Cleaning & Disinfecting Automotive  Interiors

Vehicle interiors are built to be durable, hard scrubbing or using a rough cloth can cause scratches or even discoloration. A wipe with alcohol on hard surfaces and gentle circular cleaning on upholstery are the best bets for both cleaning and maintaining your car interior.

It is also very important not to use too much water on your seats. If cloth upholstery soaks through with water, it can get into the cushion beneath. This can cause the  mold  to grow and create  that musty smell you will recognize if you've left your car windows open in the rain.

If washing the seats of your car, it is best to wet a cloth or sponge with soap and water and wipe the seats. You do not want to leave excess soap or water, as it can take a long time to dry.  While Isopropyl alcohol can safely be used on non-leather seats, it is not an ideal cleaning agent for those surfaces unless you have imitation leather.

If you are not sick, and haven't had anyone sick in your vehicle, don't get too worried about doing this repeatedly. However, starting with a truly clean slate in your vehicle will certainly give you some peace of mind.

A common recommendation from experts is that once your car's interior is cleaned and disinfected, it is important to wash your hands before getting in from now on. This will help keep your car a clean place, and reduce the chance of a virus making it into your vehicle. The steering wheel is one of the dirtiest places in your car due to constant touching, and having clean hands will go a long way to keeping it in good condition after being disinfected.

Car-Lotta advised you that if you believe you have had someone with COVID-19 in your auto, you should disinfect and call your doctor for next steps. It is believed  that the virus can survive in the air for up to three hours, and on surfaces for much longer, so it is best to be cautious if you believe your vehicle has been exposed.