I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve always stuck with the minimum coverage and just crossed my fingers.
That “crossed my fingers” approach is relatable, but I always wonder—what happens if you hit someone and the repairs or medical bills go way past what minimum covers? Even with an emergency fund, that could get wiped out fast. I used to think my old Accord wasn’t worth insuring much either, but after seeing a friend get sued for damages above his policy limit, I started rethinking it. Do you ever worry about the liability side more than just fixing your own car?
Title: Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough
Do you ever worry about the liability side more than just fixing your own car?
Yeah, honestly, that’s what freaks me out the most. I used to think, “My car’s old, who cares?” but then I started reading about how medical bills can get crazy high if you’re at fault in a bad accident. Like, it’s not just about your own car getting dinged up—it’s the other person’s hospital bills, lost wages, all that stuff. Minimum coverage in CA is what, $15k for injury per person? That doesn’t go far if someone ends up in the hospital for a week.
I get why people stick with the minimum though. Insurance is expensive, especially if you’re young or have a not-great record. But I keep thinking about how one mistake could basically ruin you financially. My cousin got rear-ended last year and the other driver only had minimum coverage. She had to sue to get her medical bills covered and it took forever. The whole thing was a mess.
I guess it depends on how much risk you’re willing to take. I’m still figuring it out myself, but seeing stories like that makes me lean toward paying a bit more for extra liability. It’s not fun spending more every month, but the alternative seems way worse if something actually happens.
Minimum coverage in CA is what, $15k for injury per person? That doesn’t go far if someone ends up in the hospital for a week.
Yeah, that $15k barely scratches the surface if someone needs surgery or physical therapy. I used to think, “Eh, I’m a careful driver, what are the odds?” but honestly, accidents can happen to anyone. My neighbor got into a fender bender and the other guy’s bills were way more than the minimum. She ended up paying out of pocket for stuff insurance didn’t cover. It’s wild how fast those costs add up. I’d rather pay a bit more now than get hit with a huge bill later.
Honestly, $15k is gone in a blink if you’re dealing with ER visits or anything more serious. I see people surprised by how quickly medical bills pile up—ambulance, scans, follow-ups, it adds up fast. Even “minor” accidents can get expensive. Upping your liability limits usually doesn’t cost that much more per month, either. Ever looked at what a bump to $50k/$100k would actually run you? Sometimes it’s just a few bucks extra.
Yeah, I learned that the hard way a few years back. Fender bender turned into a $20k bill after all the medical stuff got sorted out. My premium barely changed when I bumped up my limits after that. Honestly, peace of mind is worth a couple extra bucks a month.