It’s like buying an umbrella that turns inside out in the first gust of wind—technically you’ve got one, but good luck staying dry.
That’s a solid analogy. I used to think minimum coverage was fine too, until I got into a fender bender last year. My rates shot up, and the other driver’s “bare minimum” didn’t even touch my repair costs. Ended up paying out of pocket for stuff I thought insurance would handle. Lesson learned—minimum isn’t really “enough” if anything actually happens.
Honestly, I get why people go for the cheapest option—insurance isn’t exactly pocket change. But minimum coverage is basically a gamble, and not a smart one. I learned that the hard way when my buddy rear-ended someone in LA traffic. The other driver’s car was a newer model, and the repairs blew past what his policy covered in about two seconds. He’s still paying off the difference, and it’s been over a year.
Here’s what bugs me: if the state knows the minimum isn’t enough for most real-world accidents, why don’t they raise it? Or at least make it clearer what you’re actually on the hook for? Feels like they’re setting people up to fail. Anyone else think the whole “minimum” thing is just a trap for folks trying to save a few bucks?
Yeah, I’ve always thought the minimums were way too low, especially with how expensive newer cars are to fix. I keep extra coverage on my old Mustang just in case—one bad accident and you’re underwater fast. The state probably keeps it low so people can at least afford something, but it’s risky.
I hear you on the low minimums. I’ve had a couple of fender benders (not proud of it), and even those minor repairs added up way faster than I expected. Once, I barely tapped a newer Camry and the bill was almost $3k just for their bumper and sensors. If I’d only had state minimums, I’d have been stuck paying out of pocket. It’s wild how fast costs spiral, especially with all the tech in cars now. The minimums might help folks afford insurance, but man, they don’t go far when something actually happens.
Yeah, those “minor” accidents aren’t so minor when you see the bill. I learned the hard way after a side mirror got ripped off in a parking lot—almost $1,200 for that tiny thing. State minimums feel like Monopoly money at this point.
