Just a little addition regarding small claims court - it does cost $. I think in San Diego it costs $75 to file and then you have to serve it. You can have someone you know serve it for free (which you might be able to do), or if you have a process server do it, it costs about $50. So that is almost your settlement right there. Also, I want to second what the poster said about "actual cash value." people get confused about this, but what it really means is that they don't have to buy you a new one, just pay you for what the one you had - in its current condition - was worth.