I’ve been digging into this exact issue since I’m about to get my first policy, and honestly, the numbers surprised me. California’s minimums look okay on paper, but when you break it down—$15k per person for bodily injury? That barely covers a night in the ER if things go sideways. I started making a spreadsheet to compare what different coverage levels would actually pay out in a bad accident, and the gap is kind of scary.
One thing I’m still trying to figure out: how do you decide what’s “enough” coverage? Like, is there a formula people use based on their assets or income, or is it more about peace of mind? I get that more coverage means higher premiums, but I’d rather not find out the hard way that I was underinsured. Curious how others landed on their numbers—was it just what the agent suggested, or did you do your own math?
Honestly, I had the same worries when I was looking at the minimums. The numbers just didn’t add up for me—like, one bad accident and you’re way over that $15k per person, especially in California. What I did was look at my total assets (car, savings, a tiny bit of investments) and made sure my coverage would at least protect those if I got sued. I also thought about my future income, since apparently wages can be garnished if you’re really underinsured and things go south. In the end, I went with higher limits than my agent first suggested—felt safer that way, even if it bumped my premium a bit. It’s not a perfect science but the peace of mind is worth it for me.
That’s pretty much where I landed too. The minimums seem like Monopoly money compared to actual hospital bills around here. I joked with my agent that the only thing $15k would cover is a fancy ambulance ride. Bumping up my limits felt like buying a little more sleep at night... and less chance of future-me cursing present-me if something goes sideways.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a few cases where folks with just the minimums didn’t end up totally underwater. Not saying it’s ideal—hospital bills are wild—but sometimes, depending on the accident, the other party’s health insurance or even MedPay can pick up some slack. That said, I’ve also watched people scramble when the bills pile up. It’s a gamble, really. Sometimes I wonder if the peace of mind is worth the extra premium, but then again, not everyone’s budget stretches that far.
Honestly, I get the temptation to stick with the minimums—especially when every dollar counts. But I’ve seen even minor accidents rack up bills way past what basic coverage handles. MedPay and health insurance help, but they don’t always cover everything, and you could still get sued for the difference. Sometimes it’s just about weighing the risk... but those gaps can be brutal if you’re unlucky.