Camera and Insurance issues

Right, so what's been happening of late? So many things i could post, but for now let's dive back into the here and now. My camera got damaged a while back and it took us god knows how long to get around to claiming. Laziness tends to run in my family, so it's no surprise actually, but I need to change my attitudes to working and such.

So, we rang Barclays and put in a claim. They collected the camera, along with a cheque for £50 for the excess. The camera was purchased originally 5 years ago for £479 I found out. I think I got my hopes up too high for what I could get back from them, but since my track record of buying cameras tended to be buying ones that ended up falling short of expectations, I thought I'd go with my gut reaction rather than a compromise this time. I had been recommended the Canon EOS 400D several times by keen amateurs and semi-pros that I had spoken to, mainly on Mac forums and at Mac Expo. For example:

Exhibitor: "Do you shoot RAW at the moment"
Me: "No. I don't have a camera at the moment that supports it, but I'm looking into the possibility"
Exhibitor: "Well if you're looking at the moment, you can't go far wrong with the Canon 400D"
Me: "I'll consider it. Thanks for the software"
Pete: "You know you're buy an SLR. You might as well soon"

And so Stevie succumbs, finds out the old camera was £479 and the Canon is £499. The choice is made.

However, the insurance company valuators suggest the replacement model, (which they are obliged to do), as the Fuji F30 at £149. Since mine was a F601, it is fairly close to the specification, but I don't want it. I won't be able to sell it on for £149 and they also valued the old camera a little above this, so I opt for the cheque, but am less than happy that after the excess I am only getting about £100. I am however hoping that it arrives after two working days as the website promises cheques will arrive within two working days of settlement or they give you £50, so we'll get the excess back. The call operator I agreed to take the money from quoted 3-5 working days. Either way, I will get the Canon, but after staff discount and the insurance money, it will cost me around another £340.

We'll see.