Let me tackle a an issues before I get to the value stuff. These storm claims are called CAT (short for catastrophe). When they occur companies will bring in adjusters from other areas so they can get cars and house inspected quickly. The guy who appraised the car doesn't need to have a license because Missouri does not require adjusters to be licensed.They should but they don't. And to be honest with you he doesn't really need to know the laws either. He just needs to be an expert at appraising car damages and evaluating total loss damages. His inspection report should have been given to a Missouri adjuster to settle the claim with your mom since they would know the laws that would apply to the claim. If that didn't happen then your company shouldre-think their processes.

First off, everybody thinks their car is worth more than it is. Everybody, even adjusters. Here is what I suggest.

1. The biggest hurdle you have is proving your car is worth more. just thinking or feeling it is worth more doesn't cut it and it certainly wouldn't work in arbitration or court.

2. Your mom, not you, has the right to see whatever documentation the company used to put a value on the car. Most companies use CCC reports which are computerized reports based on actual cars sold, not just a book price. The report should show real cars sold and their "selling price" NOT the "asking price." If she doesn't have a copy have her get one ASAP and read it over. She will learn a lot from it. Make sure it shows the correct mileage and options.

3. You said you did tons of research. That is the key to getting more money. Find other cars for sale and compare them to the figures the company came up with. Remember that what you will see is the asking price so that will be higher than what the cars you find will actually sell for. This will give you an idea if the value from the insurance company is legit or not.

4. If she comes up with good documentation then your mom should call the insurance company and ask to talk to a manager. She needs to be polite and professional. No yelling etc that will get her nowhere. She should not tell the manager that she has been with the company for years and never made a claim. That means nothing at all. Sorry, but that is the truth.

Good Luck

–EDIT–

If she has good documentation then she should check her policy to see if it has an "appraisal clause" in it. If it does, she can request that process in writing to help resolve this claim. It's a pain in the butt process and she will have to hire an auto appraisal expert to help her, so there is cost involved on her part.

Costs of everything is higher than expected. If the rent is $700 a month a security deposit of the same amount is needed at signing a lease…sometimes "first and last months rent" is expected as well. That would be $2100 divided by two people.

Then are are all the utilities and the start-up fees for water, electric, gas, sewage although many apartments already provide for "Free" water. Telephone and cable can be costly, though, running $100 a month.

Food can be high as well…figure at least $300 per person and that includes restaurants and snacks.

Don't forget your cell phone.

So…budget for $1500 a month for everything, to include you gasoline and insurance.

As for furniture, most parents dance with delight when Baby moves out and are always more than glad (sometimes too glad) to get rid of their older furniture. You may get your bed, couch, pots and pans from your parents. Checking out garage sales also helps.

The most important part though is sustaining a job BEFORE you move out. Your independence is wonderful but it will cost you.

Good luck to her….

With the unemployment insurance it doesn't matter your health conditions. Contact your state employment office for more information.