I get what you’re saying, but as someone with a not-so-great driving record, I can’t help but feel like I’m just rolling the dice if I drop comprehensive. My luck, the day after I cancel, a tree branch will crash through my windshield... Murphy’s Law, right? Still, the math does get weird if your car’s barely worth more than the premium.
I hear you on Murphy’s Law. Had a buddy who dropped comp on his old Civic, thinking it wasn’t worth it anymore, and—no joke—two weeks later, hailstorm smashed up his hood and windshield. He was kicking himself for months. But then again, I kept comp on my last car way too long and probably paid more than the car was worth in the end. It’s tough to know when to pull the plug, especially if you’ve had some bad luck before. Sometimes it really does feel like gambling with the universe…
I get where you’re coming from—timing it right is tricky. I kept comp on my old Accord until it was basically duct tape and hope, mostly because I live near a ton of deer crossings. Oddly enough, I never needed it, but the peace of mind counted for something. I usually run the numbers: if what you’re paying yearly is close to the car’s value, it’s probably time to let go. But yeah, the universe loves irony...
- Totally agree about peace of mind, especially with wildlife around. My uncle hit a deer once and his car was toast, so I get the hesitation to drop coverage even when the car’s old.
- I’m still new to all this, but I keep hearing that “if your premium + deductible is more than what you’d get for the car, it’s not worth it.” Makes sense, but it feels weird to just risk it.
- Have you ever actually had to use comp or collision on an older car? I keep wondering if people really ever get their money’s worth out of it in the end, or if it’s just paying for that “just in case” feeling.
- Also curious—do you think where you live changes your answer? Like, city vs. country roads... seems like risk is totally different.
If I’m being honest, most people don’t actually get their money’s worth out of comp/collision on older cars—unless they’re really unlucky. I see claims where the payout barely covers the deductible, especially if the car’s value has tanked. Rural areas? More animal hits, for sure, but in cities you’ve got theft and hit-and-runs. Ever had a claim denied because the repair cost was more than the car’s worth? That’s a rough conversation... How do you all factor in stuff like vandalism or hail? Those can sneak up on you too.
