Armed with a pile of paperwork and the inevitable feeling that it all might be more complicated than we hoped, we headed to the DMV yesterday. While I was in Florida, the title had been signed over to me and a visit to Florida’s DMV provided the paperwork we would need in NY, as well as a temporary license plate, since Dad’s insurance was expiring that very day. The car was transferred to my insurance carrier.
Since the car was a gift, no sales tax was required in Florida and I hoped that would be the case in NY. Long lines awaited us, and I filled out the Registration application while I was waiting. There was one more form required, the form to waive sales tax, and I worried that it would need my dad’s signature. It didn’t and everything went smoothly.
Until, we saw a crack on the windshield, which had magically appeared in the interim.
What?
Since we were on the way to a Honda dealership to enlist their help in attaching the front license plate holder (Florida only requires a rear license plate) we asked them about the crack. Since it was over 11 inches long, they informed us that the windshield would have to be replaced before the car would pass inspection.
Crap.
I was frantically fretting about where we would get the money to replace it. Don encouraged me to call our insurance company. I, being ever the worrier, doubted they would help as surely we would have to pay a deductible. But I called them.
They informed me we had full glass coverage and it would be replaced for free.
Huzzah!
I do remember something hitting the windshield when I was driving home from Florida, but I didn’t see anything and forgot about it.
It will be replaced on Friday afternoon.
Today, our 14 year old car has to be inspected. I fear the news won’t be as good. That car is a trooper and we’d like to hang on to it as long as we can. Don has already decided it will be his music gig, bus station, recycling, and general errand transport. We love you CR-V and we need you.
Cross your fingers, okay?
Scout desperately needs a bath. The lawn needs mowing. The cottage always seems to need cleaning. (I find this to be true of all the old houses I have lived in – they just seem to attract more dirt.) I just finished The English Spy by Daniel Silva and have to start a new book slated for review next week. Don’s playing his guitar as I write this. I’m sipping Peet’s French Roast.
A slice of life at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
Short, but sweet, post on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Wednesday.
Fingers crossed all goes well with the inspection!
Thanks, Chy!
How wonderful that you had windshield insurance! I don’t know about New York, but here windshields are pricey. Hope all goes well with the other car. Crossing-fingers for you.
Hugs all around.
Deb
Everything is pricey in NY, Debbie! Thanks!
Taking care of all the needs of a house and grown-up issues is not as much fun but necessary to do. Hope you find some down time to have fun. Doris
Not fun at all, Doris! But necessary.
Glad to hear you’re home safely and the car will pass inspection. We don’t do any of that here in Michigan, which is a good thing. I also have a form on file that allows me to do anything for the people I have listed on the form, so I can do hubbies or sons things without them being there. It sure makes it nice.
They don’t have it in Florida, either. I wish we didn’t have inspections in NY State! What a pain they are.
Yes inspections are a pain for us here in NY, but I’m always glad when the other cars on the road have passed inspection. ;) Hopefully most of them have.
You’d be surprised at the amount of cars that don’t have insurance and have failed inspections!
Fingers and toes crossed for you Claudia! I really, really hate car upkeep expenses (time-wise and money-wise).
Me too. And there’s been a fair amount of it around here – can’t help it, I guess, with a 14 year old car!
Fingers crossed…hope the inspection goes well! We don’t have inspections here in our county, but the counties by Lake Michigan have emissions inspections. I’m always apprehensive when it comes to cars and repairs…they seem to be more of a money pit than old houses! Good luck! ;)
Two new tires needed, but it could have been worse!
That is good news! ;)
Money, money, money!
Whew , at least the problems were not insurmountable, and quite easily solved, actually. Ugh, why is it that DMV stories, no matter what State in which one lives, all involve long lines?? California actually has a good system of going on-line and making an appointment. I did that the last time I had to go in (also a car transfer issue), and I walked right up. As I was leaving, the very same people were still in the non-moving non-appointment line! Also, I do a lot of DMV business at my local AAA, where there is a DMV rep to handle most transactions that don’t require a photo to be taken. Continue adding slices to your day!
As DMV stories go, this one wasn’t bad. And once we got to the window they were very helpful.
We were at the DMV here yesterday! Purchased a new Toyota that was actually at a NJ dealership – Bob flew up Sun. to get it and drove it home Mon. and we went to register etc.
Bob gifted his 2002 Camry to Jasmin and we decided just one more new car for us which will hopefully last as long as we are driving! My 2008 Avalon will run for ages too hopefully – so this is it, we pray for no more horrid car buying experiences ever! Actually we got a fabulous deal and it was worth having to go get it . . . . . . and the NJ people were actually topnotch to work with!
Glad all going well other than the windshield – but it will be lovely having a brand new piece of shiny glass to view the world through – and take pix for us!
Hugs – Mary
Good for Bob for going all the way to NJ to get a car!
That is the annoying part of having two vehicles..twice the problems…otherwise it will be great when the two of you have separate things you need to do…We have inspections in PA too..pain in the butt…and the wallet too…thank goodness you have coverage for the windshield…that would have hurt the wallet for sure…My fingers are crossed for you….your flowers are holding on to Summer..I am trying to hold on also but the heat and humidity are back and I need to go do some shopping…C’est la vie…I guess…lol..
It’s hot and humid here, too!
Claudia, I haven’t been around for awhile…and I have missed you. I am so happy for your good luck getting the windshield replaced. Hope all works well. xoxo,Susie
Thanks, Susie!
My car is the same age and just had the annual inspection, passed all OK, but I was worried too! I hope it is alright. Good news about the windscreen hey! xx
Two new tires – but that’s not bad. We drive that car A LOT.
Good luck with your older car. I can relate – I said a few of those “please, please just get through this inspection” prayers in my day too. I’ve always driven my cars until the wheels fall off [the last car I replaced was 14 as well]. It’s financially-smarter, and it’s how I was raised. My parents didn’t buy new things until the old things were used up, worn out or beyond repair. They weren’t millionaires, but even if they had been, I know they would have been the same. Anyway best of luck with your “retro” vehicle, and please keep us posted… :>)
Needs two new tires. We have a bit of wiggle room in which to get the money together. Not as bad as I thought!
Well, 2 new tires is at least do-able and you will know it is also safer riding on them! We don’t have Inspections here, but I truly think the ones who need to have repairs made are the ones who don’t do it anyway ~ no matter who tells them they are necessary. Insurance IS mandatory, and most stories of people we know involved in accidents are w/ people who don’t carry it. So glad you had the windshield coverage!!
Very hot and humid here. Worked out in the yard earlier and it was still pretty draining. This is the time of the year when I get a bit bored with keeping it all up….but even though the flowers look pretty exhausted, they do all still have some blooms coming. Can’t give up quite yet!!
It will work out in the end. I’d rather have two new tires than an accident because of the old ones!
Claudia, I’m so happy for you and Don that you now have a second car! And glad that your windshield was replaced for free! But I know even just two tires can be very expensive. Cars are pretty darn expensive overall with the upkeep and insurance. We cut back to just one car a few years ago which works ok for us, but I know it can be difficult when your schedules are different….
Well, a second car is wonderful, but most importantly, we needed at least one car that was newer and less prone to breaking down.
And I’m very happy for you both that you have that now! :-)
xoxo
I love my Honda CRV and hope it lasts a long long time. It will make a great music gig bus!! So glad you have another car now, it really will make life a bit easier on all of you. Enjoy your new book. I just started Elin Hilderbrand’s latest ‘ The Rumor’ that I checked out of the library.
hugs,
Linda
Once we get two new tires on the CR-V, we should be ready to roll.
So glad everything worked out well for you, Claudia. I’m glad you’re enjoying your new car. I hear you on the old cars. My 2001 Mazda Tribute will be paid off in April. I’m praying it actually lasts well beyond that. I love my Tribute and would happily drive it forever more as long as it doesn’t spend half its time in the shop!!
Happy driving!
Donna
The CR-V is rusting out, but it still has life left! So we’re driving her until she drops!