Using Time Wisely

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Vehicles: Car #2 – Title or Loan Documents

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The eleventh file slot in my accordion filing system houses one more set of documents. These documents are housed behind the insurance and DMV records and include the following items:

Title or Loan Paperwork

Our original title and a copy of our title are the first two documents in this remaining set of paperwork. If I had a loan on this vehicle, I would place those documents here.

Copy of Previous Title

Having purchased this vehicle from a private owner, I kept a copy of the completed title with the seller’s and buyers’ (Paul and my) signatures. I made this copy before turning it into the DMV in exchange for our current title.

Bill of Sale

This document proves the sale of this vehicle from the seller to us. Our bill of sale includes the date, names of seller and buyer, and purchase amount.

The title, copy of previous title, and bill of sale paperwork concludes the documentation housed in my eleventh file slot for our second vehicle.

Just as my documentation from vehicle 1 to vehicle 2 is different, so your records may also be different from my paperwork. By having a place for these documents and knowing what to add to these categories will be a help in using time wisely when you need to access these documents and records. Keep plugging along in your quest for document organization. Happy sorting!

Question: How is your vehicle document file different from mine? Please add your answer to the comments.

Vehicles: Car #2 – DMV Records

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Last week I itemized the eight insurance-related documents kept in the eleventh file slot of Box 1 of my important documents. Another set of documents in this file opening are the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) records for our car #2.

Our DMV records consist of two documents:

Registration

Our vehicle registration arrives attached to the receipt via the mail. Before separating the registration from the receipt, I make a copy. The copy is put in this file slot. I then separate the registration document and place it in an envelope in my glove compartment.

License Plate Decal

This decal is sent shortly after payment of our vehicle registration. When I receive it, I make a copy. Then I apply the sticker to our license plate. The copy and the original document are stapled together and placed in this file opening.

The registration and decal documents are paper clipped together and placed behind the insurance documents in this eleventh file slot. The last set of documents in this file opening are the ownership papers which I will cover in detail next week. Until then, keep using time wisely as you get your documents organized!

Question: Where are you in your document organization project? Please add your answer to the comments.

Vehicles: Car #2 – Insurance Documents

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Photograh Credit: Flickr (Auto Insurance)

If your fall is turning over more than one new leaf, then you are not alone. Life stays really busy which is why staying organized remains a top priority for me.

The better organized I am, the more efficient and less overwhelmed I feel. By getting and keeping the paperwork and important documents organized and filed, I can quickly access these items while using time wisely.

Last week, I concluded the items in the tenth file slot of Box 1 of 3 in my important documents filing system. The eleventh file slot houses documents relating to our second vehicle.

TIP: If you are a one-car family with a boat, then your boat items could be housed in this eleventh file slot. Remember to customize your filing system to meet your needs. I will share the contents of my filing system as an example of what works for me.

The first set of documents housed in my eleventh file opening are these insurance documents for our second vehicle:

1. Current Insurance Receipt

In case there is a discrepancy, I keep a copy of the current premium payment receipt. Though I have never had a problem, I keep it just in case it is needed.

2. Current Insurance Policy

This booklet is a comprehensive explanation of our insurance policy detailing our coverage, including exclusions. If I have a question regarding coverage, this document outlines the details. Should I need to file a claim, I will read the corresponding section of this booklet to be sure the claim meets all the requirements.

3. Current Declarations Page

Besides proof of insurance, this one-page document itemizes the coverage and limits with the premium costs. In the event a claim needs to be filed, this document provides a summary of our deductibles and maximum limits for this policy.

4. Previous Insurance Receipt

Since we pay semi-annually, I will keep 1-2 previous payment receipts for verification of continuous coverage. I also like to compare the cost of this year’s policy’s premium to those of last year. If there is a significant increase or decrease, I will research to be sure we have adequate coverage.

5. Previous Declaration Pages

When my insurance company makes a change to the coverage or limits of my policy, I receive written notification with the details. If the need arises, I can compare the former coverage with the change. I keep these declaration pages in this file slot in the event I need clarification.

6. Initial Insurance Binder

When we sold our old Honda, which was covered by this policy, we turned around and purchased our new-to-us Honda vehicle. The policy was transferred from the old Honda to our current Honda. At the time of transfer, we received this insurance binder detailing the transfer. I keep this document showing the transfer in this file slot with my insurance documents.

7. Certificate of Guarantee Renewal

Having been with State Farm Mutual for over 10 years, we have earned the guarantee renewal certificate for all vehicles insured through State Farm. I shared the details of these benefits in the Vehicles: Car #1 – Insurance Documents.

8. Privacy Policy Information

This letter, sent annually from our insurance company, explains how they use our personal information. I file this correspondence in this opening with our insurance documents.

All these items are paper clipped together and housed in this eleventh file slot in Box 1 of our important documents. As I get new documents, I will either replace expired items or add it to these documents. Keeping them together under the vehicles category helps me stay organized.

Filing additional items takes seconds without misplacing or stashing in a currently convenient place where I will forget to look later. In using time wisely, I have found an organized system saves my family money, energy, and time. Wishing you the same success . . . happy organizing!

Question: How many vehicles (cars, boats, and RVs) does your family own, rent, or lease? If you feel comfortable answering, please add your answer to the comments.

Vehicles: Car #1 – Title or Loan Documents

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The time has come to finish the tenth file slot in the accordion filing system. In my filing system, I keep the records for our 2 vehicles in separate file openings. This tenth file slot houses our insurance, DMV, and the following additional documents related to this vehicle:

Title or Loan Paperwork

Our original title and a copy of our title are the first two documents in this remaining set of paperwork. If I had a loan on this vehicle, I would place those documents here.

Extended Warranty Contract

Having purchased our vehicle brand new, we also included the extended warranty. This contract consists of:

1. Cover letter. This document highlights the main points of the contract.

2. Contract. The detailed four-page document which lists all the coverage and procedures for filing claims.

Alarm Documentation

Our vehicle was available without an alarm system. After purchasing our vehicle, we had an alarm installed and acquired the following documents housed in this file:

    • Receipt. Proof of purchase with the date of purchase, price, and store identified.
    • Owner’s guide. Directions for reprogramming the system.
    • Copy of owner’s guide. When a mechanic disarmed my alarm, I had to get the system reprogrammed. I kept detailed notes on this copy which I keep for future issues.

The title, extended warranty, and alarm paperwork concludes the documentation housed in my tenth file slot for this first vehicle. Your documentation will likely be different depending on your situation. Remember, your file does not need to look like mine. My goal is to help you get organized, so you can be using time wisely.

Question: What additional documents for your vehicle do you keep? Please add your answer to the comments.

Vehicles: Car #1 – DMV Records

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Last week I shared eight insurance-related documents kept in the tenth file slot of Box 1 of my important documents. In addition to the insurance documents, I also keep the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) records for car #1 in this file opening.

Our DMV records consist of two documents:

Registration

After paying our vehicle property taxes, I receive our registration in the mail. Before separating this document from the instructions, I make a copy. Once the registration has been removed from the paperwork and placed in my glove compartment, I will place the copy in this file opening behind the insurance documents.

License Plate Decal

When I receive our registration, the license plate decal is usually included. Again, I make a copy of the document before removing the decal and placing it on our license plate. The copy will be then be placed in this file slot with the copy of the registration.

These two documents are either stapled or paper clipped together, and placed behind the insurance documents for our vehicle #1. Next week, I will share the last set of documents for car #1 housed in this tenth file opening under the vehicle category.

Question: Does your registration and decal arrive at the same time? To add your answer, please leave a comment.