just saw a story about a guy in Kansas whose car got totaled by hail, and turns out his insurance didn't cover it.

I get what you mean about “full coverage” being confusing, but I kinda think it’s on us to double-check what we’re actually paying for. Like,

“I wish the industry would just call it ‘basic combo’ instead of full coverage…”

Yeah, the whole “full coverage” thing is a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it? I’ve run into that myself—thought I was covered for everything, then found out hail damage wasn’t included unless I had comprehensive. It’s wild how many folks assume “full” means literally everything.

I get what you’re saying about it being on us to double-check, but honestly, some of those policy docs are like reading stereo instructions from the ‘70s. Ever tried to get a straight answer about classic car coverage? It’s even trickier. I always ask for a line-by-line breakdown too, especially since my old Mustang’s got some quirks.

Do you think agents should be more upfront about what’s not included, or is it just wishful thinking? I feel like if they just said “this doesn’t cover hail, floods, or falling space debris,” people would pay more attention. Maybe that’s too much to hope for...

Yeah, I totally feel you on this. I just started shopping for insurance and “full coverage” sounded so reassuring, but it’s honestly confusing as heck. You’d think the agents would spell out what’s missing instead of letting folks find out the hard way. Maybe it’s not too much to ask for a little plain English… I mean, we’re not all insurance experts, right?

Title: Just Saw a Story About a Guy in Kansas Whose Car Got Totaled by Hail, and Turns Out His Insurance Didn't Cover It.

You’d think the agents would spell out what’s missing instead of letting folks find out the hard way. Maybe it’s not too much to ask for a little plain English… I mean, we’re not all insurance experts, right?

Honestly, you nailed it—insurance lingo is like its own secret language sometimes. “Full coverage” sounds like it should mean everything under the sun, but it’s kinda misleading. Here’s the real deal, in plain English (or as close as I can get):

- “Full coverage” isn’t actually a technical term. It usually just means you’ve got liability + collision + comprehensive. But what’s *in* those can vary.
- Hail damage? That’s only covered if you have comprehensive. Not everyone adds that, especially if they’re trying to save on premiums.
- Stuff like rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, or even glass coverage—those are often extra add-ons. They don’t come standard.
- There are always exclusions buried in the fine print. Like, if you use your car for rideshare or delivery, some policies won’t cover accidents unless you’ve told them.

I totally get the frustration. I’ve had people come in after a storm thinking they were covered for everything, only to find out their policy didn’t include comprehensive. It’s rough. The industry could do a better job spelling this stuff out instead of hiding behind jargon.

One thing I always tell friends: ask for a list of what ISN’T covered. Sometimes that’s more helpful than hearing what is. And yeah, it’s not too much to ask for plain English—if you ever see “full coverage” on a quote, just ask them to break down exactly what that means for your situation.

Funny enough, my neighbor thought “full coverage” meant his golf clubs were protected when his car got broken into at the course... turns out, nope, that’s a whole different thing (homeowners or renters insurance, usually). He was not thrilled.

Insurance shouldn’t be this confusing, but here we are. If something sounds too good to be true—or too simple—it probably needs a closer look.

I get where you’re coming from—insurance terms can be a maze, and it’s frustrating when people only find out what’s missing after something goes wrong. Asking for the “what’s not covered” list is honestly one of the smartest moves. It’s not always about spending more, but just making sure your budget lines up with what you actually need. Even folks who watch every penny can get caught by surprise... it happens to the best of us.