Good-bye Old Friend

DG already posted about the awful car accident that he was in earlier this week when someone ran a stop sign causing him to run head on into the car, air bags blowing out galore. Thank goodness DG is ok. Unfortunately, my 13 year-old Honda Civic has been read it's last rights. I know it is only a material possession, but it is still painful.

I purchased that car in 1998, haggling my heart out, getting it for under blue book value. In the 10 years that I owned it, it didn't have any major problems, getting 32+ mpg city and 38+ highway. In today's gas crisis, this car represents all that is good in the world. With 89,000 miles on, it had not even seen it's half life. My dad made fun of the car often, calling it ghetto because of the oxidation of the paint job. The simplicity of this car, is a perfect example of how I am a very practical, non-flashy person.

Having a car accident never comes at a good time, but really right now, we are not able to have a car payment. Unfortunately, the money the insurance company is offering me is trade-in value, not retail value. I've researched replacing this exact car, and unfortunately insurance is undercutting me over $2,000 on the value, not including the hassle of registering a new car, obtaining insurance etc. I'm not sure how this could possible work? I did not choose to sell them my car. I did not choose to give up my car. I do not want a new SUV. I do not want a new Honda Fit, which doesn't even get as good of mileage as this car. I WANT my car replaced. And I shouldn't have to pay any $$ out of pocket for this. Since I am a stay-at-home mom, and I have a fire in me, I plan on fighting this to the end. I am so sick of big insurance taking advantage of us little guys.