TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 44.fidonet-dads@1:19/33 24b97904   
   REPLY: 13.fdn_dads@3:633/509 24b9558e   
   PID: Synchronet 3.18c-Win32 master/c967d666b Mar 17 2021 MSC 1928   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.13-Win32 master/c967d666b Mar 17 2021 MSC 1928   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   Deon,   
      
    DG> Wow, not a good year for you. Sorry to hear about it. Hope things work   
    DG> out...   
      
     Well, I got a call from Geico Thursday. The guy who was at fault in the   
   wreck apparently only had "very basic liability insurance". So, all they   
   offered to do was:   
      
   A) Pay the chiropractic medical bills (which were quite expensive).   
      
   B) Pay the Uber back and forth to the clinic (14 cents a mile, per IRS   
   rules).   
      
   C) Pay me for the pain and suffering (I think it was more economic than   
   physical).   
      
     They can NOT pay for loss of property (my car was totaled -- noted   
   below), or any other expenses...because the guy had very basic coverage.   
   I have heard of cases where folks get minimal insurance, then cancel   
   it; but keep the card, showing they have it. Yet, the police can track   
   that down, and cite them for driving without liability insurance.   
      
     To get one's license tags in Arkansas, you must prove that:   
      
   1) You have assessed the personal property tax on the vehicle.   
      
   2) You have insurance on the vehicle (most just do basic liability,   
   and don't pay for things like collision, medical, etc.)   
      
   3) If acquiring the vehicle new or used, you must provide the title.   
      
   4) You must pay the sales tax on the vehicle (I think 7.5% of the   
   total price).   
      
   5) Have a valid Drivers License in the State Of Arkansas.   
      
     You have 30 days after the purchase to get the license tags. At   
   least I can renew them online, without having to go to the Revenue   
   Office.   
      
     My previous car was totaled out, and I got $5287 for it. Combined   
   with some money I had from the insurance after my late Mom's death   
   in August, 2019, I bought a pre-owned vehicle from a family owned   
   dealership that has been in business for 35 years. Yet, in Arkansas,   
   most, if not all, pre-owned cars, are sold AS IS, with NO WARRANTY.   
   I paid $9950 for it, but had to pay $729 in state sales tax. But,   
   the car is paid in full...so no finance charges.   
      
     The first one was a 2009 Volvo 2 door hard top convertible, which    
   would have cost more on insurance and repairs. When I took it in for   
   service, there was a parts shortage, and I still hadn't gotten it   
   back 3 weeks later. I had been taking Uber back and forth at $40 a   
   day. So, the dealership did an exchange for a 2013 Chevy Cruze 4 door   
   sedan...which is much bigger and nicer. Plus, it'll be cheaper on   
   repairs and insurance.   
      
     Unfortunately, they found a bunch of stuff wrong with it, and it   
   cost me over $3500 on that. Then, I had to replace the windshield,   
   which had developed a crack in it. Safelight had set me up for a   
   Friday, but the location was Memphis, Tennessee, instead of Little   
   Rock, Arkansas. So, they rescheduled it for this past Saturday, and   
   I told them "as compensation, install 2 of your best windshield   
   wipers, and give them to me, to where I just have to pay the $100   
   deductible on the windshield, and we'll call it even"...they took   
   my offer.   
      
     Then, this past weekend, the battery on my keyless door lock at   
   the house died, and I was locked out of the house after 10pm. So,   
   I had to call an emergency locksmith to get me in, and it cost me   
   $165. I have to get a tamper proof small star screw, with the    
   screwdriver, so I can change the battery again...but this one   
   lasted 3 years.   
      
     With all that, I was on the potential of being overdrawn for my   
   birthday on Monday (not the best birthday present, even with having   
   overdraft protection...they pay the transaction fee, but hit you with   
   an overdraft fee for each one). But, they'll be able to get me $817,   
   which will pay the rest of the bills for the month, provide the co-pay   
   on my colonoscopy next month, and pay the income tax preparation fee.   
   When the COVID-19 stimulus comes in, I can just hold that for savings.   
      
     Had I known then what I know now, I would've just canceled the car   
   insurance, and just taken Uber everywhere...but that money would've   
   run out sooner or later. Then, it would've eliminated any social   
   life...as I'd have to take Uber to medical appointments and to the   
   Post Office Box, and I'd have to get groceries and prescriptions   
   delivered. But, it would've eliminated car insurance, repairs, and   
   gasoline. However, you're at the mercy of someone else for any needed   
   transportation.   
      
     So, while it's far less than I wanted, it'll save me a lot of   
   financial grief later. One of the law enforcement agencies in   
   central Arkansas has a "hot check division", and folks go to jail   
   for that.     
      
    DG> What's Gatornet?   
      
    DG> I'm happy to help if its useful.. I've got the kit here doing a couple   
    DG> of other nets, so one more should be a quick setup...   
      
     I would appreciate that. I'm at 1:19/33 in FIDONet (a regional   
   independent...my hub is 1:396/45)...and my email is wx1der at   
   gmail dot com -- however, Gmail won't allow programs to be sent   
   in emails.   
      
     However, with being in our spring tornado season now...plus I had   
   to delay a complete physical, and a low-T procedure, due to two   
   back to back winter storms in February (clinics were closed at    
   least a week, with some having significant water damage from burst   
   pipes), that they are so backed up right now. So, I'm waiting until   
   after the colonoscopy in early April before I worry about those   
   others.   
      
     I feel like the deal from Hee Haw..."if it weren't for bad luck,   
   I'd have none". I noticed a dead tree had fallen over in the yard,   
   and I went to try to move it via one of the branches, it snapped   
   off, and had I not had glasses on, I might have gouged my right   
   eye out.   
      
     I never remarried after my wife died 14 years ago, and I sure   
   could use some help now. But, at this stage of life, so many have   
   so much "baggage", and I don't want or need all that "drama".   
      
   Daryl   
      
   ... "640K of RAM should be enough for anybody." -- Bill Gates   
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