Totally agree with you here. Comprehensive coverage isn't the rip-off some people think it is, especially if your car's a bit older. A couple things I've noticed from experience:
- Older cars usually mean cheaper comprehensive premiums—makes sense, since they're worth less overall.
- Deductibles matter a lot. If you're budget-conscious like me, setting a higher deductible can really lower your monthly costs. Just make sure you actually have that deductible amount saved somewhere, or you'll be in trouble when something happens.
- It's not just hail and falling trees either...had a buddy whose car got vandalized outside his apartment. Tires slashed, windows smashed—the whole deal. Without comprehensive, he had to pay everything himself.
I get the hesitation though—insurance companies don't exactly have the best rep for transparency or fairness. But if you're in an area prone to hailstorms or random acts of nature (or people...), comprehensive coverage can save your wallet big-time in the long run.
Good points overall, but I'd add a quick caution:
- Older cars might have cheaper premiums, sure, but sometimes the payout after deductibles barely covers repairs. Had a client whose '05 Civic got hail damage—after deductible, payout was peanuts. Just something to keep in mind...
Had a similar case last year—guy's older Tacoma got nailed by hail. After deductible, barely enough left for a decent paint job. Sometimes cheap premiums just aren't worth the headache later...
I get what you're saying about cheap premiums, but honestly, sometimes it's just a numbers game. I bought my first insurance policy last year—went with the cheapest comprehensive coverage I could find because, well, student loans and rent don't leave much wiggle room. A few months later, a branch fell on my windshield during a storm. Sure, the deductible stung a bit, but even after paying that, I still came out ahead compared to what I'd have paid for pricier coverage all year.
I guess it depends on your situation and how much risk you're comfortable with. If you're driving something older or not worth a ton, maybe saving on premiums makes sense. Obviously, if you've got a newer car or live somewhere prone to hailstorms (like Kansas apparently...), then yeah, maybe splurging on better coverage is smarter. But for me, at least right now, going budget-friendly hasn't been a headache yet—knock on wood.
"I guess it depends on your situation and how much risk you're comfortable with."
Totally agree with this. I just bought my first policy too, and honestly, the whole thing felt like gambling. Ended up going middle-of-the-road coverage because I drive an older car but live in an area with unpredictable weather. Figured I'd rather pay a bit more monthly than get blindsided by some freak hailstorm or flooding... peace of mind counts for something, right? Still hoping I never have to test it out though, haha.
