The real wallet-buster was comp and collision. If your car isn’t worth much, dropping those can save a ton while still keeping you protected from lawsuits.
I get where you’re coming from, but if you’re driving something high-end, dropping comp and collision just isn’t an option. One distracted driver and you’re out tens of thousands. I’d rather pay a bit more for peace of mind—especially with repair costs these days. Liability’s a no-brainer to max out, but for nicer cars, skimping on coverage is just asking for trouble.
Yeah, I’ve seen folks regret dropping comp and collision after a fender bender with a luxury car. One guy had a deer run into his Tesla—no coverage, $8k out of pocket. Sometimes saving a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.
- Been there, done that—had a minor rear-end once and the other car was a brand new BMW. My “state minimum” policy barely covered half the damage.
- Honestly, with how distracted everyone is these days (myself included), I just can’t risk dropping comp or collision.
- A few bucks saved per month...but one bad day and you’re out thousands? Doesn’t add up for me.
- Not saying everyone needs a gold-plated plan, but the bare minimum in CA feels like playing with fire. Or, you know, deer.
Title: Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, not everyone needs to max out their coverage. Here’s the thing—if you’re driving a paid-off beater that’s worth less than your deductible, comp and collision can be a waste. I’ve seen people pay more in premiums over a couple years than their car’s even worth.
Here’s how I usually break it down for folks:
1. Figure out what your car’s actually worth. If it’s under $3k, think hard about whether you really need full coverage.
2. Look at your risk. If you’re commuting in LA traffic every day, yeah, higher coverage makes sense. But if you barely drive or park in a garage, maybe not.
3. Consider your savings. If you can cover a worst-case scenario out of pocket, minimum coverage isn’t as scary.
Not saying state minimums are perfect—far from it. But for some people, it’s not “playing with fire,” it’s just math. Everyone’s situation is different. Just don’t let fear push you into buying more than you need.
Totally get this. I’ve been driving an old Civic for years and honestly, paying for full coverage just didn’t make sense once it hit a certain age. Like, if my car gets totaled, the payout wouldn’t even cover a decent used bike. The only thing I’d add is to check your liability limits too—sometimes the state minimums won’t go far if you actually get in a bigger accident. It’s not about fear, just making sure you’re not left hanging if something goes sideways.
