My car was hit while it was parked. I was given a quote by the insurance company, but will have to spend at least $5,000 for a comparable car. There were also personal items in the trunk that were ruined, which the insurers says they are not responsible for. What are my rights?

Did the insurance company declare your car a total loss?

Insurance companies total a vehicle if the cost to repair it exceeds a certain percentage of its current market value. The percentage varies among insurance companies, and some states set guidelines for the threshold at which vehicles are totaled.

You can't force the at-fault driver's insurance company to pay out more than the car is worth, but if you think you're not getting a fair deal, you could hire an independent appraiser at your expense to perform an inspection. Get the appraisal in writing and give that to the insurance company.

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If you and the insurer are still at odds, contact a consumer representative at your state insurance department. Report the information about the items in the trunk as well to see what your rights are in this case. The consumer representative will investigate your complaint and should help you resolve the matter.

For more, see total warfare: what to do when your auto insurer totals your car.