Honestly, I’ve seen folks get burned thinking the minimum would cover them—then they’re shocked when it barely scratches the surface. Out of curiosity, has anyone actually done the math on what a “typical” accident costs these days? I feel like it’s way more than most people expect.
I ran the numbers after a fender bender last year—repairs alone were $9k, and that was just my car. If you hit a newer luxury model or someone gets injured? The minimum coverage is gone in a blink. It’s wild how fast it adds up.
Yeah, that’s honestly what freaked me out when I started looking into insurance. I kept seeing those minimum numbers and thinking, “Well, that’s the law, so it must be enough?” But then you realize how fast things get expensive—like, even a minor accident can blow through those limits before you know it. I’ve got an older car, so I thought I’d be safe with the basics, but after hearing stories like yours and reading up a bit more, it just doesn’t seem worth the risk.
It’s wild to think a simple mistake could leave you on the hook for thousands. Makes me wonder why the minimum is set so low in the first place... Maybe it made sense years ago, but cars and medical bills aren’t getting any cheaper. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience—it’s helping me feel less paranoid about wanting extra coverage.
Honestly, you nailed it—those minimums really are just that: the bare legal minimum. I hear folks say, “Well, if it’s the law, it must be enough,” but as you pointed out, costs have changed a lot faster than the laws. Medical bills and car repairs can spiral way past those limits.
Makes me wonder why the minimum is set so low in the first place... Maybe it made sense years ago, but cars and medical bills aren’t getting any cheaper.
Exactly. Minimums were set decades ago when $15k went further. Now, even a fender bender with injuries can eat through that in a heartbeat. The state tries to balance affordability with protection, but honestly, the risk of being underinsured is real.
If you’re looking at upping your coverage, here’s a quick way to think about it:
1. Check your assets—what could someone come after if there’s a big claim?
2. Price out higher liability limits (often not much more per month).
3. Consider uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage too—lots of people drive around with just the minimum or none at all.
I get wanting to keep costs down on an older car, but sometimes peace of mind is worth that extra few bucks.
Had to laugh at the “bare minimum” bit—my insurance agent once called it “just enough to get you in trouble.” With the car I drive, I’d be sweating bullets if I stuck to state minimums. Upping my liability was surprisingly cheap, honestly. Peace of mind is worth skipping one fancy coffee a month.
