Thanks for all the good thoughts! I'm fine (just bit my tongue really hard, and will probably have a bit of a bruise from the seatbelt), and the other guy and his passenger were even better (they were in a pickup and I hit them on the right side when he turned in front of me). My car's front end is completely smashed in but the crumple zone did just what it was supposed to do, and crumpled all the way up to the windshield. The rest of the car was in fine shape, and both doors opened with no problems. The front bumper was lying on the pavement, next to the blotch of what looked like coolant.
I looked up the blue book value, and an excellent quality trade in for my model and year would be $13,125, so I'll see what Progressive quotes me. If they do determine it is repairable for around that rate or less, they'll fix it, otherwise, they'll give me a check for whatever amount they determine (I will definitely protest if they lowball me) less the $500 deductible.
I'm going to go car shopping on Saturday for a slightly used (around 2-4 year old) excellent quality car and see if I can find one for about $10-13K. If I have to get a loan for under $5K, I can definitely swing that, especially since my credit rating is a lot better now than it was when I bought the Civic six years ago.
If they do total it, I'm going to take some of that check and use it to pay off my one credit card, since a car loan would be a lot less in interest than the 30% I'm paying Household.
And it's raining like crazy here again. ugh
Glad you're ok, Kathy. Best of luck with the insurance.
Kathy, that sounds sensible. I hope things go smoothly with the insurance and with the car shopping. Having just had to buy a car under duress, I know how not-fun that can be.
Yikes, glad you're OK, Kathy. May it all work out the way you want it with the insurance, finding a new car, etc.
I am so sorry, Maria.
That sucks, Kathy. I'm glad you're okay. Clark Howard says that the first offer from an insurance company is always way low and you should look up its actual value on Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book [link] and make a counter offer. Sadly, that's never enough money to get another paid-for car.
Car accidents are bad. I am really glad that you are okay, Kathy.
State Farm was amazing when I needed them. Their first offer on a totaled car was more than fair. The good end of Kelley Blue Book, no attempt to screw me and paid for about 97% of a new car. It was a one year newer model and had ammuch better stereo for my needs. So I was okay paying for that upgrade.
Not to say that all insurance agents or companies are good, but we hear so many horror stories, I feel compelled to say my experience was good. And totally know the value of a totaled car before you accept an offer, of course.
Kathy, I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt, but I'm sorry about the car. It does sound like you already have a good plan in process, though. So best luck with all of that.
So many vibes and prayers and good thoughts to you, Maria. There are absolutely no words for the awfulness of what you've been staggering through, and also no words adequate to the goodwill and love you have on tap, from all over the planet. I just wish it was enough to shield you from the bad shit. But please, please keep checking in, love.
And I'm so tremendously glad you're okay, Kathy. And many sympathy car-woes-SUCK vibes to you, and to Allyson, too.
Not to say that all insurance agents or companies are good, but we hear so many horror stories, I feel compelled to say my experience was good.
When my mother's car was totaled, their insurance bought her a new car too, without any hassle. I think they have Allstate?
And it's raining like crazy here again. ugh
Yeah. And while my salon in Ellicott City faired pretty well in the flash flood (they are reopening tomorrow), at their other site in Havre de Grace, they're watching the Susquehanna creep into the lot behind the salon.
