<prompt> Human: I rented a car for road trip, but declined optional insurance, so I am liable for all my fault. My credit card does not have rental insurance. I dont have personal insurance. I realize how stupid this is now.Very stupidly, I drove and parked on the beachit is allowed in this park. Its a night with extraordinary high tide, and one big wave smashed the front of the car. The car died in water and was towed to auto shop. Now the auto shop told me that the car is totalled, especially the electronic system. I cant believe that the car is totalled from one sea wave, but I dont know anything about fixing cars in the first place.Now, the financial consequences. If its anything under 2,000, Ill just pay out of pocket, happily. If the car is totalled and Im liable for the entire vehicleMSRP 13000, I might need to consider bankruptcy or somehow negotiate.Im still a college student going to grad school. My tuition and living expense would come from my family. I dont have a SSN because I am a foreigner, by the way.1. Is bankruptcy possible or desirable at this stage, considering I have no asset to lose? 2. Can I use this factpossible bankruptcy to negotiate a better settlement with the car rental company?Without bankruptcy, I can pay 1,000 per month towards the settlement at most. I guess its possible to go for a payment plan, but of course I want to reduce the total payment.Also, my credit card is still open and the rental company has not been informed about the loss. Is there any use in cancelling the credit card? I want to limit how much the rental car company can unilaterally take from me.Assistant: I wouldnt claim bankruptcy for 13k. In the grand scheme of things it might take you years to repay, but youll move past it. Claiming bankruptcy isnt the solution you are looking for in my opinion.Human: Yeah, Im on the wall about bankruptcy too. The thing is that I dont have asset or credit record or jobfor 4 more years at least. So whats the downside? I dont know enough.Assistant: If you dont have assets, and dont have a job, even if they get a judgment against you, they have no way to collect it. Write a letter to the collection company when they try to contact you and request that all correspondence be in writing. Pay them back once you get a job at a reduced rate, dont pay the full balance owed. Claiming BK for something that small would be a terrible waste. Alternatively, see if they will accept payments for the next 5-6 years...Human: Reduced by what percentage usually?Assistant: Id start at 50 if I was you and was negotiating. Probably look for them to settle near 60-65 depending on the situation and how likely they are to get more given the work needed to get it. Human: What about cancelling my credit card? Right now, the rental car company can probably charge several grand on my credit card, and Id have a hard time repaying that, so I really need to prevent the company from doing that.  <response>: Listen, you need a lawyer here man. I know youre looking for a quick fix, but your credit and ability to secure a future for yourself are on the line here. You made one stupid mistake, dont follow up with a second one and ruin any chance you have of building a solid future. 