I totally get where you’re coming from. If you’ve got a good setup—garage, cover, keeping an eye on the forecast—you’re definitely cutting down a lot of risk. Comprehensive can feel like paying for stuff that might never happen, especially if you’re careful. I guess for some folks, it’s just about sleeping easier, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. I’ve skipped it before too, just crossed my fingers and hoped the weather played nice.
Yeah, I hear you—comprehensive can feel like an extra bill for “what ifs.” But man, hail can be brutal, especially in places like Kansas. I’ve seen folks with garages still get unlucky when a freak storm rolls through. It’s kind of like paying for peace of mind, but I get why some skip it. Just depends on how much risk you’re cool with, I guess.
I’ve handled a bunch of claims where people thought their garage would be enough, but hail finds a way—side windows, weird angles, you name it. It’s wild how fast those repair costs add up. Comprehensive feels optional until you see a $6k estimate...
Honestly, I used to think parking in a garage was enough too, but after seeing what hail can do, I’m not so sure anymore. Here’s how I look at it: 1) Double-check your policy for “comprehensive”—it’s not always included. 2) If you’re in a hail-prone area, maybe get a quote; sometimes it’s less than you’d expect. 3) Even with a garage, wind can blow hail sideways or break windows. I’d rather pay a bit more up front than get hit with a surprise bill later... learned that the hard way when my neighbor’s car got trashed last spring.
Not sure I totally agree about comprehensive being the automatic answer, especially if you’re not driving a newer car. I get that hail can be nasty, but sometimes the cost of adding comprehensive isn’t worth it for an older vehicle. My last car was already pretty beat up, so I just kept liability and put the extra money aside in case something happened. Ended up being cheaper in the long run since my premiums would’ve been almost as much as the car’s value.
I do get why people want that peace of mind, though. Hail’s unpredictable and a garage isn’t always a guarantee—seen a few weird storms where stuff got blown in through open windows or vents. Still, if you’re not in a hail-heavy area or your car’s not worth much, it might make more sense to skip it and just be careful where you park.
Guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take and what your car’s worth to you. For me, I’d rather save on insurance and take my chances, but I know that’s not for everyone.
