Losing my very first car in a flood😢😞
October of 2021 I was able to get my very first car all on my own. I was so happy, I worked really hard at Kay Jewelers. I also did some overtime even though my body was in pain from my chronic illness (Sickle Cell Anemia), I put in a lot of hours and saved up enough money and built my credit score up. I was in the high 600s. Fast forward to April of 2023 Fort Lauderdale FL got hit with a flash flood out of nowhere and my car got flooded out.🥺I was sooo devastated because I only had my car for only a year so I still owed a little over 18k. After that happened my health took a turn for the worse. I was in and out of the hospital and I even lost my job and was going through eviction. The insurance was only able to pay 16k due to that was the value of the car. I can say that 2023 was the worst year of my life. As of right now, I still don’t have a car and I was able to find a job so i’m trying to save up money but it’s hard when I have to uber/lyft everywhere because it’s so expensive. I’m really struggling and it’s hard when I don’t have anyone in my family that’ll help, what sucks even more is they can help,they have the money and the resources to help but they don’t. I’m starting from scratch but this time around it’s harder😞I just started this job and I’m back in the hospital again. and my birthday is coming up (April 2nd) I hope I get out by then because Idk what i’m going to do. Every year whenever it’s before, on my birthday or after, I always go into the hospital but it’s w.e.😓It can’t be helped, but I just needed to get that off my chest, i’ve been bottling that up for the longest and I didn’t know when I would’ve been able to get it off my chest but this app is amazing. #Lemon8Diary #shareyourthoughts #storytime #embracevulnerability #lemon8bookclub
My heart goes out to anyone who's experienced something similar to what I went through with my first car. Losing it to that flash flood was absolutely devastating, and I know many of you might be wondering, 'What do you even do after your car's interior is filled with mud and water?' It’s more than just a car; it's freedom, independence, and often, a huge financial commitment. When my car was finally assessed, seeing the extent of the flood-damaged car interior with mud and debris was heartbreaking. The floor was submerged in dark, muddy water, and everything felt ruined. It's not just the visible damage; the electrical systems, upholstery, and even the air conditioning can be severely compromised. If you ever find yourself in this terrible situation, here are a few things I learned the hard way. First, document everything. Take photos and videos of every bit of damage, especially the muddy water in the interior and any personal items. This was crucial for my insurance claim. Contact your insurance company immediately. Understand your policy – comprehensive coverage usually covers flood damage, but the payout is based on the actual cash value, not necessarily what you owe. This is where I ran into trouble, owing more than the car's worth. Gap insurance is something I now realize is incredibly important for first-time buyers, especially if you have a significant loan. The financial hit from losing my first car was immense. Being underwater on the loan meant I still owed money for a car I couldn't drive. This impacts your credit score, which I had worked so hard to build. If you're facing a similar situation, explore options like negotiating with your lender or looking into consumer credit counseling services. It’s hard to save for a new vehicle when you’re still paying for one that’s gone. Beyond the financial aspect, the emotional toll is huge. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, angry, or sad. Losing my independence—having to Uber and Lyft everywhere—was incredibly frustrating and expensive. It made getting to my new job and hospital appointments even harder. If you're struggling, reach out to community resources or mental health support. Don't bottle it up like I did for so long. Rebuilding after such a loss feels impossible, but small steps help. I'm focusing on saving what I can, even with the high cost of alternative transportation. Explore public transport options if available, carpooling, or even cycling to reduce costs while you save up. And if you're in the market for a used car after a flood event, be extremely cautious. Always get a vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection to avoid buying a car with hidden flood damage. Look for tell-tale signs like musty odors, rust in uncommon areas, or water lines on the upholstery. It's a long road, but sharing my story here has been a small step in my own healing process. We're all in this together, and hopefully, my experience can offer some guidance or at least a sense of solidarity.
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