Transportation Notes Independent Living

Mass transit Another name given to public transportation (e.g. city bus). Another name given to public transportation (e.g. city bus).

Maintenance The ongoing cost of owning a car. The ongoing cost of owning a car.

Sticker Price Price information affixed to the vehicle window. Price information affixed to the vehicle window.

Book value The suggested retail price of the make and model of the car. The suggested retail price of the make and model of the car.

Lease A contract of terms and temporary ownership for a vehicle. (Renting the car) A contract of terms and temporary ownership for a vehicle. (Renting the car) Advantages: Advantages: Get new car every few years Get new car every few years No sales tax up front No sales tax up front Disadvantages Disadvantages Never actually own during leasing time Never actually own during leasing time Always have to repair if problems arise Always have to repair if problems arise

Depreciation Decrease or the loss in value of a vehicle. Decrease or the loss in value of a vehicle.

Lemon Law Lemon=a car that fails to meet standards in quality and performance. Lemon=a car that fails to meet standards in quality and performance. All 50 states have passed this in order to protect the consumer from being stuck with a “lemon” automobile. All 50 states have passed this in order to protect the consumer from being stuck with a “lemon” automobile.

Title Legal documentation of ownership of a vehicle. Legal documentation of ownership of a vehicle. The bank keeps the title while you’re making monthly payments The bank keeps the title while you’re making monthly payments

Pre-owned Another term for a used car. Another term for a used car.

Financing The process of paying for a vehicle. (Car loan) The process of paying for a vehicle. (Car loan)

Warranty A written guarantee given to the purchaser of a NEW car by the manufacturer or dealer, specifying that the manufacturer will make any necessary repairs A written guarantee given to the purchaser of a NEW car by the manufacturer or dealer, specifying that the manufacturer will make any necessary repairs

Before you buy a car… You have to be 18 to buy a car in NE. You have to be 18 to buy a car in NE. Before you buy a car…. Before you buy a car…. Decide what you actually need Decide what you actually need Decide if you’ll buy new or used Decide if you’ll buy new or used Do your research-be informed Do your research-be informed

Deciding what you really need…. Evaluate when/where you will be driving car Evaluate when/where you will be driving car What are your weather conditions like? What are your weather conditions like? Will you have lots of highway driving or city driving? Will you have lots of highway driving or city driving? Timing to buy: Timing to buy: Summer, cheaper SUV’s Summer, cheaper SUV’s Winter, cheaper sports cars Winter, cheaper sports cars

Decide if you’ll buy new or used… New New Runs better Runs better Has warranty Has warranty Better gas mileage Better gas mileage Better performance Better performance Window sticker (know the price) Window sticker (know the price) Used Used More to choose from More to choose from Cost less Cost less You need to find out where it’s from and who owned it previously You need to find out where it’s from and who owned it previously Doesn’t usually have warranty Doesn’t usually have warranty

Do your research… Get car-fax (history of car) Get car-fax (history of car) Not always available if you buy from owner instead of dealership Not always available if you buy from owner instead of dealership Always test drive Always test drive Check engine, transmission, sensor lights, etc. Check engine, transmission, sensor lights, etc. Don’t forget about additional fees: Don’t forget about additional fees: Documentation fee Documentation fee Sales tax Sales tax Registration fees Registration fees License plates fee License plates fee Lincoln=wheel tax Lincoln=wheel tax The average consumer is much more informed than 10 years ago The average consumer is much more informed than 10 years ago

Financing (car loan) Factors that affect your ability to get a car loan: Factors that affect your ability to get a car loan: Credit history Credit history Driving record Driving record Factors that affect your interest rate on that car loan: Factors that affect your interest rate on that car loan: Credit history Credit history Driving record Driving record Type of car: 2-door vs. 4 door, newer vs. older Type of car: 2-door vs. 4 door, newer vs. older 2-door=higher rate (more risk) 2-door=higher rate (more risk) Older=higher rate (more risk) Older=higher rate (more risk) Car safety rating Car safety rating Color doesn’t matter Color doesn’t matter

Financing (car loan) Highest interest rate in NE: 18%, usually between 5-8% Highest interest rate in NE: 18%, usually between 5-8% Insurance rate decreases when you turn 25 or when you get married/have kids (less risky) Insurance rate decreases when you turn 25 or when you get married/have kids (less risky)

After purchase costs (“back end”) Added warranty Added warranty Added “toys” Added “toys”

Additional Car Review Insurance on a used car is less than insurance on a new car Insurance on a used car is less than insurance on a new car Buying a car is the 2 nd largest purchase most people make Buying a car is the 2 nd largest purchase most people make Comprehensive insurance covers vandalism, theft and fire Comprehensive insurance covers vandalism, theft and fire

What to do if you’re in an accident: NE is TORT state-someone must be found at fault in an accident NE is TORT state-someone must be found at fault in an accident How you react can prevent further injuries, reduce costs and accelerate the clean-up and repair process. How you react can prevent further injuries, reduce costs and accelerate the clean-up and repair process. "These tips can make a big difference in everything from protecting yourself and your passengers to ensuring that you won't be without a car while yours is in the shop," "These tips can make a big difference in everything from protecting yourself and your passengers to ensuring that you won't be without a car while yours is in the shop,"

Action Plan to Deal with Accidents: 1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment 1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment Carry a cell phone Carry a cell phone Always have a pen and paper for taking notes Always have a pen and paper for taking notes Take photos at the scene Take photos at the scene Keep a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies Keep a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies Drivers can keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment. Drivers can keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment.information forminformation form The DocuDent™ Auto Accident Kit ($19.95), supported by AAA and insurance companies, offers a comprehensive kit that includes a flashlight, reusable camera and accident documentation instructions. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk. The DocuDent™ Auto Accident Kit ($19.95), supported by AAA and insurance companies, offers a comprehensive kit that includes a flashlight, reusable camera and accident documentation instructions. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.DocuDent™ Auto Accident KitDocuDent™ Auto Accident Kit

2. Keep Safety First 2. Keep Safety First Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.

3. Exchange Information. 3. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

4. Photograph and Document the Accident. 4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.

5. File An Accident Report. 5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site as a downloadable file. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site as a downloadable file. A police report often helps insurance companies speed up the claims process. A police report often helps insurance companies speed up the claims process.

6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. 6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. The whole insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the details of your coverage. The whole insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics.

The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will pay for the damages? The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will pay for the damages? If the accident was minor, you and the other drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company. But this isn't always the best idea, for several reasons: If the accident was minor, you and the other drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company. But this isn't always the best idea, for several reasons: While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's too high. At this point, time has passed and your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim. While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's too high. At this point, time has passed and your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim.

Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement, or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit. So make sure that your company has your version of what happened and check your policy — if the damages paid out by your insurance company are below a certain amount, the accident may not be considered chargeable. And you will avoid the penalty of a premium hike. Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement, or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit. So make sure that your company has your version of what happened and check your policy — if the damages paid out by your insurance company are below a certain amount, the accident may not be considered chargeable. And you will avoid the penalty of a premium hike. Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both financially and emotionally. If you're one of the lucky ones who have thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though, that at some point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and make safety your primary concern. You'll have plenty of time to deal with the consequences later. Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both financially and emotionally. If you're one of the lucky ones who have thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though, that at some point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and make safety your primary concern. You'll have plenty of time to deal with the consequences later. Resource: accident.html Resource: accident.htmlhttp:// accident.htmlhttp:// accident.html