Yeah, hail damage is one of those tricky ones people often overlook. A lot of folks assume their basic coverage includes weather-related stuff, but usually you need comprehensive for that. Learned that the hard way myself after a nasty storm a few years back... ended up paying out of pocket because I thought I was saving money skipping comprehensive. Definitely worth double-checking your policy details, especially if you're in an area prone to crazy weather.
"Definitely worth double-checking your policy details, especially if you're in an area prone to crazy weather."
Yeah, that's the thing—I've always been a bit skeptical about comprehensive coverage because it feels like you're paying extra for something you might never use. But reading stories like this makes me wonder... Is there a certain threshold or car value where comprehensive coverage actually becomes worth it? Like, if you're driving an older family car that's already lost most of its resale value, does it still make sense to pay extra for comprehensive? Or is it mainly beneficial for newer cars that'd cost a fortune to repair? I've been debating this lately since our area has seen some pretty wild storms recently. Curious how others decide when it's worth upgrading their policy.
I get where you're coming from—comprehensive coverage can feel like tossing money into the void, especially if your car isn't exactly showroom-new anymore. I've had a few older cars myself, and my rule of thumb has always been to weigh the premium costs against the actual market value of the vehicle. If your car's total value is hovering around a couple thousand bucks, paying extra premiums every month might not make sense... especially once you factor in deductibles.
On the flip side, though, if you live in an area with frequent hailstorms or flooding, even an older car can rack up repair costs pretty quickly. A friend of mine had his 12-year-old Honda totaled by hail damage last year—he thought skipping comprehensive was smart until that happened. He ended up selling it for scrap because repairs cost more than the car was worth.
"Definitely worth double-checking your policy details, especially if you're in an area prone to crazy weather."
Exactly this. I'd say it's less about age alone and more about risk exposure and how easily you could absorb a total loss financially. It's all about balancing peace of mind with practicality.
Yeah, I used to think comprehensive was a waste too, until I moved to a city that gets hailstorms every spring. My old Corolla isn't worth much now, but I'd still rather pay a bit extra each month than suddenly have to scrape together cash for a replacement windshield or roof repairs. Like you said, it's all about what you're comfortable risking...and honestly, knowing my luck, the minute I cancel coverage is exactly when golf-ball-sized hail would show up, lol.
"it's all about what you're comfortable risking..."
Exactly. I ran the numbers last year after a coworker's car got wrecked by hail, and honestly, comprehensive coverage isn't that much extra per month. Considering the potential out-of-pocket costs, it's worth it for peace of mind alone.
