What Would You Do If Your Auto Was Broken Into?

Okay.... You walk out the door, ready to start your day. Then your heart sinks as you notice broken glass surrounding your automobile.

You are not alone. An auto break-in is a scene that too many Americans encounter each year. And after those initial feelings of shock and disappointment subside, you may be left wondering what to do next.

Here are some steps you should take if your vehicle has been broken into:
 

• Check your surroundings. Before you do anything else, look around to make sure you’re safe. Most of the time vehicle burglars are only after your valuables and quickly leave the scene. But if anything makes you feel uncomfortable, leave your vehicle and find a safe place to call for help.
   
• Record what you lost. If your auto was broken into, chances are the thief found something of value. Check for missing purses, wallets, smartphones and other electronics. Then, make a list of anything that was taken. It’s also a good idea to take photos of your vehicle damage for reference.
   
• File a police report. To make a report, call the police office’s non-emergency number – not 911. While not all break-ins can be investigated, the report will help officers track local crime trends and can provide documentation for your insurer if you file a claim.
   
• Protect yourself from identity theft. If you discover any credit or debit cards are missing, immediately notify your bank to cancel the old cards and order replacements. They’ll also help monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. 
  
• File an insurance claim. Should you file a claim or not?  Damage to your car from a break-in is typically covered under your auto policy’s comprehensive coverage, but if any of your belongings were taken, they might be covered under your homeowners or renter's policy.

 One more thing: While break-ins are never completely preventable, you can take some steps to help lower your risk. Always lock your car doors, roll up your windows and keep valuables out of sight.

 

How Will You Celebrate Labor Day?

Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.


 Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. Most school districts that started summer vacation in mid June will resume school near this day.



The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, in Boston, by the Central Labor Union of New York, the nation's first integrated major trade union. It became a federal holiday in 1894. Singed into law as a National Holiday by Grover Cleveland.


All Car-Lotta Credit locations will be closed Monday September 3d  in observance of Labor Day.



We will re open Tuesday September 4th  at 9:00 am.

How Well Do You Know The PA School Bus Laws?

Can you believe that it's that time ?  The kids are going back to school.  Where did the summer go??


Every year children are needlessly injured or killed by drivers passing stopped school buses.

      Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Laws Are :

  When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
  

  When you approach an inter section where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended,  you MUST STOP.

  You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from the school bus.

  You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.

  DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.    

Penalties if convicted of violating Pennsylvania´s School Bus Stopping Law include:

*$250 fine

*Five points on your driving record

*60-day license suspension

Have You Ever Been In A Falsh FLood?

You don’t have to live near an ocean, lake, or river to be subjected to flash flooding. Even desert areas like southern Arizona have their share of flash floods, brought on by heavy rains that have nowhere to go except raging down what used to be dry arroyos or washes only a few moments before. And every town and city across the country is vulnerable to storm drains and sewer systems overflowing and/or backing up because of too much rain for them to handle or debris clogging them.

Flash floods may be one of the most dangerous weather-related phenomena because they can happen anywhere. The water rises so fast and flows so swiftly that roads can be particularly dangerous. Vehicles on them can be swept away almost before drivers realize what’s happening. However, protecting yourself from a flash flood is simple, as long as you stay alert and drive carefully. All you have to do to arrive safely at your destination is to remember to take a few basic safety precautions. Here are the top three rules for safe driving during a flash flood warning.

Rule 1. Never Drive Through Flood Water

Just because flood water looks shallow doesn’t mean it is. It’s impossible to judge its depth, especially at night. Additionally, the pavement or ground under it may already have been compromised and there could be a deep hole where a flat surface used to be.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and potential stalling.
• One foot of water will float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.

Your kids have undoubtedly heard it from one of the local weathermen at a school visit: “Turn around, don’t drown!” This is the slogan that the National Weather Service has campaigned on for years to prevent flash flooding deaths. Find another route rather than proceeding through floodwaters.

Rule 2. Get Out ASAP if Your Car Submerges

While it’s dangerous to get into flood waters, it’s even more dangerous to remain in a car that’s submerging. Stay calm. Release your seatbelt. Open your window and escape through it. If your window won’t open, try to break it with anything handy. Remain on the car roof as long as possible. If your car gets hung up on a tree or other heavy object, try to get onto that instead of your car roof.

If you can’t break the window, wait for your car to fill with water while keeping your hands securely on the door handle. Do not panic. When the car is almost full, take a deep breath, open the door, and swim to the surface. If you’re swept away by the flood waters, try to keep your feet pointed downstream and direct your body over rather than under obstacles. Do your best to avoid any downed power lines. If possible, grab onto a tree or any other heavy object you come to and stay there until rescued.

Rule 3. Never Park or Camp on River Banks or Near Washes

While it may be scenic to camp on a river bank or near a dry wash in the Desert Southwest, don’t do it. Heavy thunder storms can pop up at any time. Carry a battery-operated weather radio or install a weather app on your phone so you can check local weather before going to sleep at night.

By learning these three rules, you’ll be as safe as possible if and when you’re faced with a flash flood emergency.

 

 

Car-Lotta Reminds you …. the best rule for surviving flood waters is not to get into them in the first place.

 

Want To Trade?

At CarLotta Credit and  Car Sales, we will take in just about anything that moves as a trade in, except farm animals. (Just kidding about the farm animals)

We have taken cars, trucks, minivans, motorcycles, boats, ATVs', trailers, quads, lawnmowers and tractors. As far as cars, we don't care how old it is, or how many miles it has on it... we'll consider it. And we'll take more than one car or vehicle in at a time if need be. We do need the title to the vehicle though. If the title is not in your name, we will need the legal owner present, and with ID, to take it as a trade in on your car.

The benefits of trading in are...
* the value of your trade in can be used to make up for some of your cash downpayment to make your car and loan more affordable
* you save some sales tax that needs to be paid to the state of PA as the trade in value reduces the tax owed
* you no longer have the insurance, maintenance or gas cost for a vehicle you no longer need
* if your trade doesn't run, we'll even tow it out of your property as part of the deal

Trading in your car makes sense. What do you have to trade?

Do You Know A Child In Need Of A Backpack?

Car-Lotta Backpack Giveaway  2018*

Last  year we gave away HUNDREDS of backpacks filled with school supplies to families in our surrounding communities. This year we will be doing it again. 

 

 

 

Saturday, August 18^th- Starting at 9:00AM

 

*No purchase necessary.

Giveaway is first come first serve.

Limit two backpacks per family
 to children grades K thru 12^th (5 to 18 yrs old).

 Children must be present and accompanied by a parent.

 

** No purchase necessary. This is NOT restricted to Car-Lotta customers. Anyone may line up and get a backpack if they fit the rules.  Call for complete details.

 

 

 

 

How Courteous Are You

If you are in  the right lane on a highway, do youI legally have to let in cars that are merging into your  lane?

 

Here's the lane truth: there's no rule that says you have to let in merging drivers. But, it is a nice thing to do if you can.

Once you're in a lane, you have control over that lane. Any time another driver is trying to get into your lane, they're required to wait until it's safe.

 

That means they can't just turn on their signals and expect you to yield to them. They have to slow down and, if necessary, come to a complete stop.

Drivers of merging vehicles could be charged if they butt in when it's not clear – even if you hit the merging vehicle from behind.

 

It would be nice for the public to offer that consideration and let other traffic in . Consideration is something drivers lack, and we all need to be a little kinder on the road.

 

The best way to let in a merging vehicle depends on the situation. It could mean speeding up just a little to get ahead of them, slowing down a little to let them in front of you, or switching lanes.

 

When traffic's slowed to a crawl on expressways during rush hour, sometimes you see cars taking turns letting in merging vehicles.

 

                     Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to be courteous!