I totally get where you’re coming from—my first car was a hand-me-down, and I just stuck with liability because it felt like the “grown-up” thing to do. But now that I’m shopping for my own policy, I keep thinking about all the random stuff that could happen. Like, my neighbor’s tree dropped a branch on his hood last winter... not even his fault, but he was stuck with the bill. Has anyone actually had full coverage pay off in a big way, or is it mostly peace of mind?
I’ve actually had full coverage bail me out once, and honestly, I was glad I paid the extra. A deer ran out in front of me on my way to work—total freak accident—and the repairs would’ve been a nightmare to cover out of pocket. That said, if your car isn’t worth much, sometimes the premiums just don’t make sense. It’s kind of a numbers game... but for newer cars or if you park outside a lot (like me), it can be worth it for more than just peace of mind.
I get the logic, but I’ve always been a little skeptical about full coverage unless the car’s pretty new or you’re still making payments. My last car was a beater, so I just rolled the dice with liability. Honestly, I saved a ton over the years, but yeah, if a deer had taken it out, I’d have been out of luck. It really does come down to how much risk you’re willing to take on yourself. For newer rides or if you’re in an area with lots of wildlife or sketchy parking, I can see the argument for full coverage.
It really does come down to how much risk you’re willing to take on yourself. For newer rides or if you’re in an area with lots of wildlife or sketchy parking, I can see the argument for full coverage.
That’s pretty much where I landed, but from the opposite end of the spectrum. I’ve always had a thing for higher-end cars—currently driving a late-model S-Class—and honestly, full coverage isn’t even a question for me. The repair costs alone on these vehicles are wild. Even a minor fender bender can run into the thousands, and that’s before you get into anything more serious. I get that it’s not cheap, but the peace of mind is worth it, especially when you factor in things like theft or vandalism.
A few years back, I had a situation where someone sideswiped my car in a parking garage and just took off. No note, nothing. If I’d only had liability, I’d have been stuck with a $4k bill for bodywork and paint. Instead, insurance handled it (minus my deductible), and I was back on the road in a week. That one incident basically paid for a couple years’ worth of premiums.
I do see your point about older cars or “beaters”—if the car’s not worth much, it’s hard to justify paying more for insurance than the vehicle itself is worth. But with anything newer or high-value, it feels like rolling the dice in a way that just doesn’t make sense to me. Especially with how unpredictable things can be... deer, hail, random acts of nature, or just bad luck in a parking lot.
Guess it comes down to what you’re comfortable risking. For me, I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than get hit with a massive bill out of nowhere. But yeah, if you’re driving something you don’t mind walking away from, liability makes sense. Just depends on your threshold for risk and how attached you are to your ride.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve always been a bit skeptical about just how much “peace of mind” full coverage really buys, especially with how insurance companies love to jack up rates after a claim. I drive a WRX and, yeah, I’ve had my share of tickets and close calls. My premiums are already wild, so every year I debate if it’s worth it.
Last year, someone broke into my car and stole a bunch of stuff—insurance barely covered half of it after the deductible and “depreciation.” Felt like a slap in the face, honestly. Made me wonder if I’m just throwing money away for coverage that doesn’t actually help when you need it most.
But then again, I had a buddy total his Civic (not even his fault), and liability left him stranded with no payout for his own car. He ended up borrowing rides for months. That’s the kind of headache I’d rather avoid... even if it means paying through the nose.
It’s a gamble either way. Sometimes I think the system’s rigged no matter what you pick.