That way, I’m not totally exposed if something goes sideways, but I’m not paying for every bell and whistle either. It’s not a perfect science, but I’d rather have a slightly higher bill th...
I totally get the “gym membership” comparison—it stings to pay for something you hope you never need. I’ve been tempted by the bare minimum too, but after seeing a friend’s accident bill, I upped my liability. It’s not fun, but I’d rather skip a few lattes than risk losing my savings over a crash. Anyone else feel like the deductible game is just a weird gamble?
Yeah, the deductible thing drives me nuts. It feels like you’re either betting on yourself never messing up, or just accepting you’ll get dinged for something dumb. I’d rather pay a bit more now than get wrecked later, but man, it’s a weird system.
I get what you mean—it’s like playing insurance roulette. I always wonder if I’m just throwing money away with a low deductible, but then my friend got rear-ended and his “savings” vanished overnight. It’s a gamble either way, but I lean toward paying a bit more upfront too.
Title: Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, the whole "minimum coverage" thing in California feels like a trap, especially if you drive anything worth more than a used blender. I learned that the hard way a couple years ago. Some guy in a beat-up sedan rear-ended my S-Class at a stoplight—barely tapped me, but the sensors and paintwork? Nightmare. His insurance barely covered my rental car, let alone the repairs. I was left arguing with adjusters for months, and still ended up footing a chunk of the bill myself.
People always talk about saving money with higher deductibles or just sticking to the minimums because "what are the odds," right? But when you actually need it, those savings evaporate faster than you can say depreciation. I get that not everyone wants to pay extra every month, but if your car’s even remotely valuable—or you just don’t want to deal with headaches—skimping on coverage is rolling the dice.
I’m a bit skeptical about how much insurance companies actually help when things go sideways, but after that mess, I upped my coverage and haven’t looked back. It stings paying more each month, yeah, but at least I sleep better knowing I won’t be stuck with a $10k bill because someone else cheaped out on their policy. Honestly, it’s less about “if” something happens and more about “when.” California roads aren’t exactly filled with cautious drivers...
Not saying everyone needs to go full platinum coverage or whatever, but minimums just don’t cut it anymore—especially if you care about your ride or your sanity.
Yeah, I hear you on the “minimum coverage” being kind of a joke out here. I used to think it was enough too—figured I was just being cautious, driving a 2014 Camry with two kids in the back, not exactly rolling around in a luxury car. But then my neighbor’s teenage son sideswiped me in the parking lot and his insurance barely covered the scratches, let alone the dented door. I ended up paying more than half the repair myself. Didn’t even bother fighting it because, honestly, who has the energy for that?
I get being skeptical about insurance companies. Half the time it feels like they’re just looking for ways to wiggle out of paying. But after that mess, I bumped up my coverage too—nothing crazy, just enough so I’m not sweating every time someone parks too close at Target. It’s not cheap, but neither is getting stuck with a bill you didn’t see coming.
The thing that gets me is how fast costs add up, especially with newer cars. Even a minor fender bender can run into thousands if there’s sensors or cameras involved. And with how people drive around here (don’t even get me started on LA freeways), it’s not exactly rare to see accidents.
I still grumble every time I pay my premium, but I’d rather deal with that than another surprise expense. Minimum coverage might work if your car’s already beat up and you don’t care about it, but for most folks, it just doesn’t cut it anymore. Not saying you need all the bells and whistles, but a little extra peace of mind goes a long way—especially when you’ve got family to think about.
Guess it comes down to what you’re willing to risk. For me, I’d rather skip a couple lattes a month than gamble with my car or my sanity.
