It’s wild how many people don’t realize how little those minimums actually do until the bill lands in their lap. I remember back in 2018, my neighbor’s son rear-ended a Lexus—just a tap, honestly—but the total damages were over $9k once all was said and done. His insurance covered maybe half, and he had to figure out the rest with a payment plan. That was a real eye-opener for me.
I used to think paying more for coverage was just the insurance companies upselling, but after seeing a couple of these situations play out, it started to make sense. The extra $12 or $15 a month isn’t nothing, especially if you’re on a tight budget, but compared to getting stuck with thousands in out-of-pocket costs? It feels like a no-brainer now. People always talk about “just following the law,” but the law’s really just setting the lowest bar possible.
I do get why some folks hesitate though. When I first started driving, I didn’t have much cash to spare and every bill felt like a stretch. Still, cars are so much more expensive to fix now—even basic fender benders can run into five figures if airbags go off or there’s frame damage. And that’s not even counting medical bills if someone gets hurt.
It makes me wonder if most people just assume “insurance” means “covered,” period, without reading the fine print. The language is confusing and nobody really wants to think about worst-case scenarios until they’re staring at them. Sometimes I wish agents would spend less time talking about discounts and more time spelling out what those minimums actually mean in real-world terms.
Anyway... after seeing what happened to my neighbor’s kid, I upped my limits too. Didn’t love paying more, but it helps me sleep better knowing I won’t be scrambling if something goes sideways. Just seems like one of those things where being proactive is way less painful than being reactive later on.
Yeah, I’ve seen this play out more than once. Had a client who thought the minimums were “plenty” until her teenage son sideswiped a Tesla. The repair bill was almost double what her policy covered, and she was floored. It’s tough, because nobody wants to pay more every month, but those numbers on the policy aren’t just suggestions—they’re real limits. I always tell folks: if you can swing it, bumping up coverage is usually worth it for the peace of mind alone.
Yeah, those minimums are kind of like the “check engine” light—easy to ignore until something actually happens. I learned the hard way years ago when my ‘72 Chevelle got rear-ended by a guy with barebones coverage. Let’s just say my paint job cost more than his whole policy. It stings, but you’re right, paying a bit more upfront can save a whole lot of headaches down the road.
Let’s just say my paint job cost more than his whole policy.
That’s exactly the problem with minimums—they’re set decades ago and don’t reflect what things actually cost now. I used to think I was being smart by keeping my premiums low, but after my neighbor’s kid sideswiped my Civic and his insurance barely covered half the repairs, I realized how risky that is. It’s tempting to save a few bucks, but one accident can wipe out any “savings” in a heartbeat. The math just doesn’t add up for me anymore.
