Uninsured motorist is non-negotiable for me too—learned that the hard way after a fender bender with someone who apparently thought insurance was optional. I do miss the days when “full coverage” didn’t feel like ordering à la carte at a fancy restaurant, though...
Uninsured motorist coverage really is one of those things you don’t realize you need until, well, you really need it. I’ve seen way too many folks get burned by drivers who either don’t have insurance or don’t have nearly enough. Delaware isn’t the wild west, but you’d be surprised how often it comes up.
About “full coverage”—it’s wild how that term has gotten fuzzier over the years. Used to be, you’d ask for full coverage and that was that. Now it’s like building a sandwich at one of those fancy places: Do you want underinsured? What about roadside? Rental reimbursement? Suddenly you’re looking at a menu instead of a policy.
Here’s how I usually break it down for people who are feeling overwhelmed:
1. Start with the state minimums, but don’t stop there. Delaware’s requirements are honestly pretty bare bones. They’ll keep you legal, but they won’t always keep you protected.
2. Uninsured/underinsured motorist is a must—no question on that one.
3. Think about your car’s value and your risk tolerance before adding collision and comprehensive. If your car’s paid off and not worth much, sometimes it’s not worth the extra premium.
4. Don’t forget personal injury protection (PIP). Medical bills add up fast, even from minor accidents.
5. Shop around every couple years, even if you’re happy with your current company. Rates change, and sometimes loyalty doesn’t pay off the way we wish it did.
One thing I’ve noticed—people sometimes skip rental reimbursement to save a few bucks, but then regret it when their car’s in the shop for weeks after a fender bender. It’s usually only a couple bucks a month more.
Insurance has gotten more complicated, no doubt about it. But if you take it one piece at a time, it’s not quite as mind-boggling as it seems at first glance... though I do miss when “full coverage” actually meant something simple, too.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally sold on rental reimbursement being a must-have. I skipped it for years and just used my old beater as backup when my main car was in the shop. Yeah, it’s inconvenient, but for folks really pinching pennies, every extra add-on adds up. Sometimes you just gotta weigh the odds and your own situation. Insurance companies love to upsell all those “just a few bucks more” options... it adds up fast if you’re not careful.
I hear you, but man, my “backup” car barely made it to the end of my street before overheating. That was a fun week. I guess rental reimbursement is one of those things you don’t really appreciate until you’re stranded and wishing you’d paid the extra ten bucks. Still, if you’ve got a reliable second car, more power to you.
Rental reimbursement is one of those things I used to skip, too—figured I’d just tough it out if my car died. Then I spent three days bumming rides and waiting for a tow truck that never showed up on time. Ten bucks suddenly felt like a bargain. Backup cars are great in theory, but if it’s a beater, you’re just trading one headache for another. In Delaware, with how long some shops take, I’d rather have the rental.
