"Liability-only seemed smart until I was stuck footing the whole repair bill myself."
Yeah, that's the tough part about going liability-only—it's always a gamble. I've been there too, not with a deer but with a pothole that practically swallowed my tire and bent the rim. Still, even after paying out-of-pocket, I figure I'm ahead overall by skipping comprehensive on older cars. But you're right...every renewal makes me second-guess myself just a bit. Murphy's law indeed.
Haha, been there myself—liability-only feels like a genius move until suddenly...it isn't. Here's my foolproof guide to second-guessing your insurance choices:
Step 1: Proudly choose liability-only coverage because your car is older than your favorite hoodie.
Step 2: Immediately encounter a random road hazard (bonus points if it's something ridiculous like a rogue shopping cart or a flying hubcap).
Step 3: Spend the next week kicking yourself while paying out-of-pocket for repairs.
Step 4: Swear you'll upgrade coverage next renewal.
Step 5: Renewal arrives, see the price difference, and confidently repeat Step 1.
Honestly though, I still stick with liability-only on my old beater. The math usually works out in my favor, but every now and then life likes to remind me who's boss. Murphy's law is real, folks.
"Honestly though, I still stick with liability-only on my old beater."
I get your logic, but being new to insurance, I'd rather pay a little extra now than risk a big surprise later... peace of mind feels worth it, at least for now.
I totally get the cautious approach, especially if insurance feels new or confusing. A few things you might wanna consider:
- What's your car actually worth? If repair costs after an accident would exceed the car's value, comprehensive or collision might not be worth the extra cost.
- How much is your deductible? Sometimes the deductible is so high that minor repairs still come outta your pocket anyway...
- And how much extra are you paying per month/year for that peace of mind?
Just some stuff to think about before committing long-term.
"If repair costs after an accident would exceed the car's value, comprehensive or collision might not be worth the extra cost."
That's a solid point, but I'd add a little nuance here. If your car's value is borderline—say, a few thousand bucks—dropping collision coverage might seem tempting. But remember, if you're at fault in an accident and your car's totaled, you're completely on your own financially. Seen plenty of folks regret skipping coverage to save a few bucks per month... so weigh carefully how much risk you're comfortable carrying.
