Would'nt you know it!

[disneybound31]

Just the week I get my ADR's planned out for our trip booked for October everything $ wise goes horribly wrong! First a rock shot out from under a semi on the interstate smacks my window so hard my kids and I think were being shot at! So a super nice crack I am sporting on the car. Stretches almost from edge to edge now. Doesn't obstruct view, but still...

Then, I notice a strange sound - or lack of- sound coming from the central heat and air unit. It is warming the house and blowing but the visible unit 'parts' are not turning. So today (very warm) I decide to try out the air conditioning just to see what will happen. Well, the air conditioner air is even warmer than the 'heat'. Actually, it was hot. So I get scared of starting a fire and shut the whole thing down. We just had the thing serviced mid-winter for not heating properly.

Then, today my car starts releasing smoke from under one tire and driving strangely- like the steering wheel is shaking back and forth alot and I feel I have a bit less control. Smelled like burning rubber. Any thoughts?

Honestly almost all of our savings is earmarked for our trip and I can't stand the thought of cancelling. We have only been on one vacation in all 10 years of our marriage. Our DD and DS are so excited for it.

I'm just venting and really not looking for anything other than maybe some insights about what might possibly be happening with our heat and air and the car? Anyone have any experiences they could share? Also, what does it usually take to replace a windshield? More than a couple hundred? I don' t want to claim on insurance if it would be less than deductible... Just thinking out loud.

Has anyone had to cancel a trip because of too many large budget upsets?

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Sounds like you have had a bad week.

My DH had a cracked windshield that had to be replaced. He was able to have it done for around $200.00. Call around and get several estimates. We found the estimates ranged from $200 to abot $500 dollars so we were glad we called several places.

 

[lisajl]

geez..sounds like you are having a bad week! Just keep breathing....you will get through this. It all seems to pile on at once though, doesn't it? Good luck with everything.

Lisa

 

[tar heel]

Do you have comprehensive car insurance? If so, glass breakage may be included. There's not even a deductible on glass for our policy, and we've had windshields done several times.

 

[SavannahBetsy]

sorry you have had a bad week, sending good vibes your way!

 

[clh2]

Does your insurance cover glass repairs/replacement? I had a problem several years ago, and I only needed to pay a $50 deductable.

 

[Momto4boys]

Sounds like a belt broke in your tire. Hope you have some better luck soon!

 

[disneybound31]

Do you have comprehensive car insurance? If so, glass breakage may be included. There's not even a deductible on glass for our policy, and we've had windshields done several times.

Yes! We have comp. I will check into that - thanks for reminding me!

 

[NoeyLane]

Most major car insurance carriers on most policies will pay 100% for front windshield replacement. They will even come out to you and replace the windshied! We had to do this when a rock hit my husband's car while he was driving on the turnpike.

Good Luck! Hope your insurance company pays the full price for you.

 

[rockyroad]

Go get that tire checked out right away.
It could be very dangerous.

And hang in there.
Things seem to break down three at a time, so hopefully that's your three.

 

[cbrfan]

Also check with different glass shops in your area. We have several in our town that will waive the deductible in order to get our business. So even though we have $100 ded. on our comprehensive, we don't pay anything out of pocket for windshields. I had originally thought we had $250 ded., and the glass shop said they'd cover 1/2 of that.
As for the car, DH said he'd be hesitant to drive it until finding out what's wrong. But if you have a tire shop near you, you could try to limp the car down to them and have them check it out for you.
Can't help you on the heat and AC. But will send lots of pixie dust!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Check your auto insurance. What is your comprehensive deductible? Ours is $0, so the windshild would cost us nothing.

How old is the heating and A/C unit. Most heat pumps have a 10 year life on them.

Car - could be a problem with the brakes. The brake could be locked on. Do not drive it until you know for sure.

 

[disneybound31]

Check your auto insurance. What is your comprehensive deductible? Ours is $0, so the windshild would cost us nothing.

How old is the heating and A/C unit. Most heat pumps have a 10 year life on them.

Car - could be a problem with the brakes. The brake could be locked on. Do not drive it until you know for sure.

OP here-- thanks for coming through with the suggestions. With a clearer mind this morning I decided to just kick these problems in the rear after work today... I walked into the insurance branch in our town and said how do I get this fixed asap? We have never in 10 years filed a car insurance claim! Have a $100 ded. for comprehensive and have already scheduled the winshield to be fixed.

Called AC repairman and said "Today, please." and while we finished dinner he got the unit up and running and it really did'nt do that much damage $-wise.

Brakes or whatever will be looked at on the Volvo (Yep, I love 'em- had a 20 year old beater Volvo in college and saved my pennies to get an S80 last year- used, of course) day after tomorrow.

So thanks again for the kind replies and helping me vent. Bank account is low now, but it makes me smile to get these things under control.

 

[ncmtnmom]

Our comprehensive covered a couple of broken windshields in the same situation. We didn't have to pay a penny and our insurance didn't go up either. We've never had an accident though and we have been with this company for 20+ years.

 

[cinmell]

Over the past 6 years I've had 3 new windshields and one repair to a windshield and never paid a dime. Luckily, they were all covered completely by insurance.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Glad to hear from your update that things are looking a little better and brighter for you. Have a wonderful trip!