Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is actually one of the few add-ons I always recommend, especially in California. You’d be surprised how many folks are driving around with the bare minimum or nothing at all. If you get hit by someone like that, and you don’t have this coverage, you could end up footing the bill for your own injuries or repairs—even if it wasn’t your fault. It’s not just a scare tactic from insurance companies, either. I’ve seen clients get stuck with medical bills because the other driver’s policy maxed out fast.
As for being “over-insured,” it’s possible, but most people are actually under-insured without realizing it. The state minimums haven’t kept up with real-world costs—hospital bills and car repairs add up quick. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes spending a little more now saves you a ton of headaches (and cash) later. Rates can go up after an accident, but shopping around or adjusting your coverage can help balance things out. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between protection and affordability... not always easy, but definitely worth thinking through.
Honestly, you nailed it with the bit about medical bills piling up fast. I used to think the minimum coverage was fine too, just to keep my monthly payment low. But a friend of mine got rear-ended by someone who had no insurance at all, and she ended up paying out of pocket for a bunch of stuff. It was a huge mess.
I get the urge to cut costs—gas, groceries, everything’s up these days—but like you said:
That really hits home. I’d rather skip an extra coffee run each week than gamble with thousands in car repairs or hospital bills.“sometimes spending a little more now saves you a ton of headaches (and cash) later.”
Finding that “sweet spot” between enough coverage and not overpaying is tough, though. I do wish insurance companies made it easier to compare what you’re actually getting for your money. Still, I’d rather have peace of mind than risk being stuck with a giant bill because someone else cut corners.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still not convinced that more coverage is always worth it for everyone. Here’s my take:
- If you drive an older car like I do, sometimes the extra coverage costs more than the car’s even worth.
- Uninsured motorist coverage helps, but it’s not cheap, and if you’re a careful driver with a clean record, odds are on your side.
- Medical bills are scary, but if you’ve got decent health insurance already, doubling up with super high auto coverage feels redundant.
Not saying minimum is perfect, but for some of us, it’s just about balancing real risk vs. what we can actually afford. Insurance companies definitely don’t make it easy to compare what you’re actually paying for... that part I totally agree with.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve got an older car too, and sometimes it feels like I’m paying more for insurance than the thing’s even worth. The uninsured motorist coverage is a tough call—like, you want to be safe, but at what point is it just overkill? And yeah, health insurance already takes a chunk out of my paycheck, so doubling up feels kinda pointless sometimes. It’s all about finding that balance between peace of mind and not going broke every month... insurance companies definitely don’t make it easy to figure out what’s actually necessary.
I hear you on the cost—sometimes it feels like the insurance is for their peace of mind, not mine. But what if you actually got hit by someone with no insurance and your health insurance didn’t cover everything? Wouldn’t that be a nightmare? I keep wondering if I’m just being paranoid or if it’s actually worth it to pay extra for that coverage...
