Choosing between basic liability and full coverage for your first car - what did you go with?

Liability only here too. Full coverage on a beater just never made sense to me - premiums would’ve cost more than the car in a year. Ever get hit and actually have to use your insurance? That’s when things get interesting...

Had to file a claim once after someone rear-ended me at a stoplight. Liability only, so my car was toast and I got nothing for it. Their insurance paid out, but if they’d been uninsured, I’d have been screwed. Ever think about adding uninsured motorist?

Their insurance paid out, but if they’d been uninsured, I’d have been screwed. Ever think about adding uninsured motorist?

That’s actually one of my biggest worries. I went with liability only for my first car because it was old and not worth much, but I keep thinking about what would happen if someone hit me and didn’t have insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage seems like a smart add-on, especially since you never really know who’s out there on the road. Is it usually expensive to add that, or does it depend a lot on where you live? I’m always nervous about paying for stuff I might not need, but stories like yours make me rethink it.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I used to think uninsured motorist was just another way for the insurance company to squeeze a few more bucks out of me, but after hearing some horror stories, I decided to add it. For me, it wasn’t that much extra - maybe like $5-10 a month - but I know it can depend on your state and driving record. It’s tough balancing peace of mind with not overpaying, but sometimes that little bit of extra coverage helps me sleep better, especially with all the wild drivers out there.

I used to think the same thing about uninsured motorist coverage - like, is it really necessary? But after my friend got rear-ended by someone with no insurance, I changed my mind. For me, I went with liability plus uninsured motorist. My car’s older, so full coverage didn’t make sense financially. If your car’s newer or you’re still paying it off, though, full coverage might be worth the extra cost. It’s all about weighing the risk versus what you can afford to lose.