Been there—last year, a deer ran out in front of me on Highway 1. Even with “decent” coverage, the out-of-pocket was way more than I expected. If I’d just had minimums? No way I could’ve covered the repairs. Just not worth the gamble.
I hear you—those minimums look fine on paper, but the reality’s a lot different once you’re actually dealing with repairs. People tend to underestimate just how fast costs add up, especially with newer cars or higher-end parts. Even “full coverage” can have gaps if you don’t check the details. I’ve seen folks get burned by rental car costs or towing fees that weren’t covered like they thought. It’s not just about legal requirements; it’s about protecting yourself from those surprise expenses that sneak up on you.
Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough
Tell me about it—my last “minor” fender bender cost more than my first used Civic. I swear, with the way parts are priced these days, you’d think my bumper was made of unicorn horn. And don’t even get me started on sensors and cameras... One little tap and suddenly you’re looking at a bill that makes your wallet cry.
I used to think “full coverage” meant I was set. Turns out, it’s more like “mostly covered unless you actually need it.” The first time I had to get my car towed, I learned the hard way that my policy only covered like 10 miles. Anything past that? Out of pocket. And rental reimbursement? Yeah, apparently my insurance thought I’d be happy driving a 2002 Corolla while my car was in the shop for two weeks. Spoiler: I was not.
Honestly, those state minimums are a joke if you drive anything newer than 2010 or something that isn’t just basic transportation. It’s not just about fixing your own car either—if you rear-end someone in a luxury SUV, those minimums won’t even scratch the surface of their repair bill. You’ll be paying out of pocket faster than you can say “deductible.”
I get why people want to save on premiums (insurance isn’t exactly fun money), but after seeing what repairs and rental costs actually look like, I’d rather pay a bit more each month than risk getting stuck with a monster bill later. Plus, peace of mind is worth something too... especially when your car has more computers than your laptop.
If anyone’s still rocking the bare minimum because it looks cheaper, just double-check what’s actually covered—and maybe ask yourself how much you trust other drivers around here. Personally, I wouldn’t bet my bank account on it.
Honestly, those state minimums are a joke if you drive anything newer than 2010 or something that isn’t just basic transportation.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I started driving. It’s wild how fast costs add up, even for “small” accidents. I keep asking myself, what if I hit someone with a fancy car or there’s an injury? The minimum just feels like it’s not enough. Your point about peace of mind really hits—sometimes paying a little more now saves a lot of stress later.
Honestly, I get the fear, but I’m not convinced everyone needs to max out coverage. I’m just starting out and those premiums add up fast. If you drive an older car and don’t have much to lose, is it really worth it? Sometimes it feels like insurance companies are scaring us into paying more than we need.
