Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes the “minimum” is enough if you’re just trying to keep costs down and don’t have a ton of assets to protect. I drove with just the basics for years—never had an issue. It’s a gamble, sure, but not everyone needs the Cadillac plan. Just depends on your risk tolerance and budget, really.
I get wanting to keep costs down, especially with how expensive everything is in California. But here’s the thing—if you’re in an accident and the damages go over those minimums (which happens more than people think), you’re on the hook for the rest. I’ve seen folks get sued for way more than they expected. Even bumping up your liability limits a bit doesn’t always cost that much more per month. Just something to weigh before rolling the dice.
Title: Why California’s minimum car insurance might not be enough
You nailed it—people really underestimate how fast those costs add up after a crash. I’ve seen claims where the minimum barely made a dent, and then folks are left scrambling. Upping your coverage isn’t always as pricey as people assume, either. It’s just not worth risking your savings or paycheck over a few bucks a month, in my opinion.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had clients who genuinely couldn’t swing higher premiums, even if it’s “just a few bucks.” Sometimes those few bucks matter. Isn’t there a balance between protecting yourself and not overextending financially?
I totally get what you mean about those “few bucks” making a difference. I used to think the same—why pay more if the minimum gets you on the road? But then my friend got rear-ended last year. She only had the state minimum, and it barely covered anything. The other guy’s car was some fancy import, and the repairs were way more than her policy limit. She ended up having to pay out of pocket, which was way more than just bumping up her premium would’ve cost.
Isn’t there a balance between protecting yourself and not overextending financially?
It’s tough to find that sweet spot. I’m still figuring it out myself, honestly. What I try to do is look at what I can realistically afford if something does go wrong. Like, if I couldn’t handle a big bill, maybe it’s worth stretching a little now to avoid a bigger mess later. But yeah, not everyone has that wiggle room... It’s just one of those things where you have to weigh the risk against your own situation.
