Should I switch to Verizon and get the iPhone 5?

My contract with At&t will be up in two months, and I was looking to switch to Verizon because they have more coverage in my area. However, my iPhone 4 is slowly dying (all the side buttons are broken and the volume down key acts like it's being pressed the whole time so I can't listen to music, make phone calls, watch videos, or set alarms. I also have to deal with the annoying mute icon that won't leave the screen).

I took it in to At&t and they said I have to pay the retail price for a new phone because:

1. My phone is out of warranty
2. I don't want to renew my contract because I plan to switch to Verizon

I'll be free from At&t in late November, but what's the point of a phone if I can't make calls? Should I pay the ETF (roughly $100) and get the iPhone 5 on Verizon? Or should I suck it and deal with it until then? Any other options are welcome* Thanks!

*That does not mean you should tell me to get a Droid or some other phone

Switch to Sprint instead
they are the only wireless company that still offers an unlmited data plan, and are generally cheaper than either AT&T or Verizon.

Well the Iphone 5 will be $200.00 for new contracts. And a replacement for an iphone 4 will be pricey as well. It all depends on the differences you have with what you pay monthly. I have verizon and have 2 iphones on my plan (iphone 4) and there's no problem. Pretty reasonable plan and reasonable data plan. Verizon has a share everything plan. Where if you have an iphone you will pay $40 for unlimited talk & text and about $50-70 in the amount of GB you want for you phone. The most basic will cost you around 90-100 for one iphone and i believe 2 gb of data.