Totally get where you’re coming from. The fine print is a pain, but skipping it is just asking for trouble. Been there myself—once paid extra for rental car coverage, then found out my regular policy and my credit card both covered it. Felt like I’d just thrown cash in the trash.
You nailed it with that checklist. I’d add one more step: actually call your insurance and ask what’s *not* covered. Sometimes the stuff they leave out is more important than what they pitch you. For example, I do a lot of long-distance driving, so I care way more about towing limits than glass coverage. Found out my “roadside” only covered five miles of towing... which is basically useless if you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Honestly, most of those add-ons are just money-makers for the company. Gap insurance, rental reimbursement, even some “accident forgiveness” deals—they sound good until you realize how rarely you’d use them or that you’re already covered elsewhere. But yeah, it’s a hassle sorting through all the overlap.
One thing I disagree with a bit: sometimes the fluff is worth it if it gives you peace of mind. Like, if you’re someone who hates dealing with car trouble or paperwork, paying a little extra might be worth not having to think about it when things go sideways. But if you’re willing to do some legwork and keep track of what you’ve got (and where), you can cut out a ton of unnecessary costs.
Anyway, props for actually digging into this stuff instead of just clicking “accept” on whatever bundle they throw at you. Most people don’t bother and end up overpaying for years. It’s annoying up front but pays off down the road—literally and figuratively.
Man, the towing thing gets me every time—five miles barely gets you off the highway. I’ve learned (the hard way) to ask about every little detail, especially since my rates are already sky-high. It’s wild how much overlap there is, but yeah, sometimes paying for “fluff” is just less stress. I keep a spreadsheet now... not glamorous, but it saves me from double-paying for stuff I never use.
I get the spreadsheet thing, but honestly, I just go bare bones and hope for the best. Towing? I ditched it after my third “not covered in this situation” call. Now I just keep a local tow guy’s number in my glove box and pay cash if I need it. Probably not the most responsible, but at least I know what I’m getting into. All those little add-ons just make my eyes glaze over...
I get where you’re coming from—those add-ons feel endless. But I always wonder, what if you break down in the middle of nowhere or during a snowstorm? Paying cash is fine if it’s local, but I like the peace of mind knowing it’s covered, even if I rarely use it. Ever had a situation where the tow cost way more than expected? That’s what got me to keep the coverage, even if it’s a bit extra each month.
WHY IS FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH CAR INSURANCE YOU ACTUALLY NEED SO CONFUSING?
Totally get what you mean about the peace of mind. Those roadside assistance add-ons can seem like just another way to squeeze a few more bucks out of us, but there are a few things I’ve noticed over the years that make them worth a second look:
- Towing costs can be wild. I’ve seen people pay $300+ for a short tow, especially if it’s after hours or in bad weather. That’s a nasty surprise if you’re not ready for it.
- Even if you’re usually close to home, weird stuff happens. Flat tire on a road trip, dead battery at your kid’s soccer game... suddenly that “maybe I’ll never use it” coverage feels like a lifesaver.
- Some policies bundle roadside with other perks—like lockout service or fuel delivery. It’s not just towing, and sometimes those little extras save the day.
- If you drive an older car, paying out of pocket might seem cheaper until you realize how quickly those costs add up over a year or two.
I do get the frustration though. There’s so much fine print and so many options that it’s easy to feel like you’re just throwing money at “what ifs.” I’ve had clients who swear they’ll never need roadside, then end up stranded in a snowstorm and suddenly they’re rethinking everything.
Personally, I look at it like this: if the monthly cost is less than what one emergency would set me back, it’s probably worth it for my own sanity. But yeah, it’s not always cut and dry—sometimes you have to weigh how much risk you’re comfortable with versus how much you want to budget.
Funny enough, I once had a guy call me from a cornfield in Nebraska because his car died and he didn’t have coverage. He ended up paying more for the tow than he did for his last two years of insurance combined. Not saying that’ll happen to everyone, but... stuff like that sticks with you.
Anyway, the “right” amount of insurance is different for everyone, but factoring in those unexpected headaches is never a bad idea.
