Can’t argue with most of that, though I’ll admit I always cringe at the price of extra coverage. But after my neighbor’s Civic got totaled by a hit-and-run and insurance barely covered half, I started looking at my own policy a lot closer. Dash cams are cheap peace of mind, honestly. Still not sure about carrying a disposable camera, but hey, better safe than sorry...
I totally get the sticker shock on extra coverage—premiums aren’t exactly pocket change. But after seeing a few weird claims come through (hit-and-runs, uninsured drivers, even a deer incident that turned into a whole saga), I’ve started thinking of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage as less of an “extra” and more of a necessity. Especially with hit-and-runs being so common lately. It’s wild how many people just drive off.
Dash cams are a game changer, honestly. They’re not just for YouTube fails—having footage can make or break a claim if you ever have to prove you weren’t at fault, or if you need to show what actually happened. Most insurance companies love having that kind of evidence too. Makes the process way less painful.
About the disposable camera thing... I still keep one in my glove box, half out of habit and half because my phone battery is always dying at the worst possible time. It’s old school, but it’s saved me before when someone rear-ended me and then tried to claim it was the other way around. The photos I snapped right there made all the difference.
If you’re cringing at the cost, it might be worth playing with your deductible or bundling policies to see if you can offset it a bit. Sometimes just tweaking one thing can help balance out the price hike from adding UM/UIM. And honestly, after seeing what happens when people don’t have enough coverage, I’d rather pay a little more now than risk paying a lot more later.
Anyway, it’s one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s there.
Dash cams are a game changer, honestly. They’re not just for YouTube fails—having footage can make or break a claim if you ever have to prove you weren’t at fault, or if you need to show what actually happened.
Couldn’t agree more about dash cams. Half the time, it’s the difference between a quick payout and weeks of back-and-forth. And I’ve seen too many “phantom driver” claims where someone just vanishes—without UM/UIM, you’re basically stuck footing the bill for someone else’s mess. It’s not fun explaining that to folks who thought liability was enough. Disposable camera in the glove box is a classic move, too... old school but still works when tech fails.
Not saying dash cams aren’t useful, but I’ve got mixed feelings. Here’s my take:
- They’re not always a magic bullet—had one in my last car, but the angle missed half the action when someone sideswiped me. Insurance still dragged their feet.
- UM/UIM is definitely a lifesaver, but those policies can get pricey, especially if you’re already flagged as “high risk” (ask me how I know…)
- Disposable camera is a cool backup, but in the heat of the moment after a hit-and-run, I’m usually too rattled to remember to snap pics. Maybe that’s just me.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like you can do everything right and still get stuck holding the bag. I keep coverage as high as I can afford, but it’s a gamble either way. Anyone else feel like insurance companies just look for excuses to delay or deny, even with all the “proof” in the world?
Honestly, sometimes it feels like you can do everything right and still get stuck holding the bag.
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. Here’s my two cents as someone who’s had to deal with this more than I’d like:
- Dash cams are great in theory, but unless you’re running a multi-cam setup (which gets expensive fast), there’s always a blind spot. My last claim? The footage was “inconclusive” because the impact happened just out of frame. Still had to fight tooth and nail to get anything covered.
- UM/UIM coverage is a must for me, especially with what these repairs cost, but the premiums are brutal. I shop around every renewal, but it’s a balancing act—pay more now or risk a nightmare later.
- Insurance companies definitely seem to drag their feet. Even with video, photos, police report...they still want “more documentation.” Feels like they’re hoping you’ll just give up.
I keep a checklist in my glovebox for what to do after an accident, but honestly? In the moment, adrenaline takes over and it all goes out the window.
It’s frustrating how much you can prep and still end up at the mercy of adjusters who seem to be trained in saying “not covered.”