You’re not wrong—minimums can leave people exposed. I see this play out all the time. People think they’re saving money until an accident happens, then they’re shocked by what’s not covered. Even a fender bender can snowball into major bills. Your point about liability is spot on, especially in CA where everything seems pricier. It’s never fun to pay more up front, but like you said, the alternative can be way worse. Hang in there—sounds like you’ve learned the hard way, but you’re definitely not alone.
Even a fender bender can snowball into major bills.
Honestly, I’ve seen that exact scenario play out. A client once thought their “just enough” policy would cover a minor rear-end. Turns out, the other driver’s medical bills alone blew past their limits. It’s wild how fast costs add up in CA. I get wanting to save, but sometimes it’s worth bumping up coverage just a notch—especially with how pricey repairs and medical stuff can get here.
It’s wild how quickly those “minimum” limits can get wiped out, especially if there’s more than one person injured. I’ve seen folks get blindsided by out-of-pocket costs after thinking they were set. Curious—do most people here actually know what their liability limits are, or is it just whatever the dealer or agent first suggested? Sometimes I wonder if anyone really reads the fine print...
Sometimes I wonder if anyone really reads the fine print...
Honestly, I’m guilty of just skimming through the paperwork and nodding along when the agent says “this is standard.” I couldn’t even tell you my exact limits without digging up my policy. It’s kind of wild how easy it is to just trust whatever number they throw at you, especially when you’re excited about a new car.
I had a friend who got rear-ended on a road trip and thought he was covered for everything. Turns out, his “full coverage” barely scratched the surface once medical bills started rolling in. He ended up paying way more than he expected. Makes me wonder if “minimum” should really be called “barely there.”
Guess it’s one of those things you don’t think about until you need it... and by then, it’s too late. Maybe I should actually read that fine print next time, but man, those documents are like reading stereo instructions.
Makes me wonder if “minimum” should really be called “barely there.”
That’s honestly not far off. I’ve seen folks come in after a fender bender thinking their “minimum” policy would handle everything, only to find out it barely covers the other guy’s bumper, let alone medical bills. The paperwork is a slog, but missing those details can cost way more than just time. It’s wild how fast those numbers add up when you’re on the hook.
