redshifter.org

Insurance worked out better than I thought. Things I've learned:

1. Aftermarket stuff: look into endorsements and additional coverage for them. Originally the insurance guy told me I shouldn't tell them about my mods, lest they think I'm racing the car and jack my rate way up. So I didn't divulge them, and I ended up taking a bath on them. Luckily they valued my car high enough that it worked out in the end.


2. Save your receipts. Glad I did that.


3. The happy, helpful front of the insurance company's sales team completely goes away when you start dealing with the claims force. Nothing shocking there, I guess. When they're talking about how they're going to get money from you, it's all "how can we help you?" and smiles and yuk-yuks; when it's about how they're going to get money to you, suddenly you find yourself feeling like the bad guy. Funny how that works.


4. Insurance will try to throw you on their assembly line once your car is wrecked. They'll send you to their own "approved" body shop (read: the body shop in their back pocket) who has an insurance rep on location full-time. This could be either a good thing or a bad thing, I suppose. On one hand, since they have a guy on location, you don't find yourself having to prove anything to the insurance company; however, they have a mole, which stacks the cards in their favor. Proceed with caution. It worked out for me, this time.

Chris over at the Neckdeep is going through the same thing as me with the totaled car. He, unlike myself, has a hefty commute to the South Bay, so gas mileage is important. As for me, my studio is five blocks from home, so I'm not feeling like I absolutely need a replacement car. I'll be relying on the motorcycle for most of my traveling.

But, I still need a car from time to time. Trips to the store, stormy weather, jaunts out of town, that type of thing. I'm considering the hassle-free convenience of City Car Share, but there's a little piece of me that wants a sweet little '73 double oh-two.

Also, stay tuned: Dr. Jang is going to be making an appearance here soon.