Totally get where you’re coming from. My “cheap” fix for a bumper tap last year somehow turned into a $2k saga—paint matching, sensors, the works. The minimum coverage would’ve left me sweating bullets. I used to think extra insurance was just upselling, but after that mess? Worth every penny, even if my wallet grumbles about it.
The minimum coverage would’ve left me sweating bullets.
I get the worry, but honestly, I’ve stuck with minimum for years and never needed more. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’d rather save now and risk it than pay more every month. Guess it depends how much risk you can stomach.
Totally get wanting to save, but I’ve seen folks blindsided by big bills after a fender bender. Minimum’s fine until it’s not—medical costs or a nicer car can eat through that coverage fast. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks.
Yeah, I hear you on the peace of mind thing. I used to think minimum was enough, but after my buddy got rear-ended and ended up owing way more than his coverage, it made me rethink things. Still, it’s tough when every dollar counts. I guess it’s one of those “pay now or maybe pay way more later” situations... Not easy to balance, but your point about medical bills is spot on.
Here’s the thing—minimum coverage in California is basically just enough to keep you legal, not enough to actually protect you if something goes sideways.
- The state minimum is $15k per person/$30k per accident for bodily injury, and $5k for property damage. That $5k? It barely covers a fender bender on a newer car. If you rear-end someone in a Tesla or even a mid-range SUV, you’re blowing past that limit before the tow truck even shows up.
- Medical bills are where people get hammered. Ambulance ride, ER visit, maybe a night in the hospital... that $15k is gone in a blink. If there’s more than one person hurt, you’re on the hook for whatever your insurance doesn’t pay.
- Lawsuits are real. I see it all the time—people think “I’m not rich, nobody will sue me.” Doesn’t matter. If you cause an accident and your insurance runs out, they’ll come after your wages, assets, whatever they can get.
- I get it—money’s tight for everyone right now. But bumping up liability limits isn’t as expensive as most folks think. Sometimes it’s just a few bucks more per month to double or triple your coverage. Not saying everyone should max out, but minimums are really just that... the bare minimum.
Honestly, I’ve seen too many people regret going cheap when something bad happens. You don’t have to go overboard, but at least check what higher limits would cost. It’s usually less than people expect and can save you from a world of pain down the road.
If you’re driving much at all in California traffic, minimum coverage is like bringing a water pistol to a wildfire. Just my two cents from seeing how these claims play out every day.