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Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough

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Posts: 14
(@golfplayer203294)
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It’s more about knowing what risks you’re actually willing to take on yourself.

That’s the part that’s got me second-guessing minimum coverage. I just bought my first car—a used Honda, nothing fancy—but I keep thinking about what would happen if I got into a bigger accident. My cousin went with the minimum and ended up owing way more than he expected after a multi-car fender bender. I get wanting to save money, but those “what ifs” are hard to ignore. I’d rather pay a bit more now than risk a huge bill later.


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natemusician4430
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(@natemusician4430)
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It’s wild how fast those costs can add up after even a minor accident. I used to think, “Hey, I’m a careful driver, what are the odds?”—but then I got rear-ended on the freeway and suddenly realized how little control you actually have. Minimum coverage just doesn’t cut it if things go sideways. I’d rather skip a couple takeout meals a month and have peace of mind, honestly.


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kathy_hernandez
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(@kathy_hernandez)
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Minimum coverage just doesn’t cut it if things go sideways.

Totally get that. I used to think the same—like, why pay extra when I drive safe? But then my friend got in a fender bender and her minimum policy barely covered anything. She ended up paying out of pocket for the other guy’s bumper. Has anyone actually looked into how much more full coverage really costs compared to the bare minimum? Sometimes it’s not as big a jump as you’d expect.


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pharris41
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(@pharris41)
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Honestly, I ran the numbers last year when my policy was up. For me, full coverage was like $30 more a month than minimum. Not nothing, but compared to what you’d pay if you rear-end a Tesla? Worth it. It’s wild how fast those repair bills add up. Minimum coverage just feels like rolling the dice, especially around here with so many expensive cars on the road.


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ryanparker425
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(@ryanparker425)
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I get where you’re coming from. I drive through downtown LA every day, and honestly, I’ve seen fender benders turn into five-figure repair jobs, especially with all the luxury cars around. I used to think minimum was fine, but after seeing a coworker get stuck with a massive bill after a minor accident, I started questioning if saving that $30 a month is really worth the risk. It’s kind of wild how quickly things can spiral if you’re not covered enough.


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