Honestly, “full coverage” is one of those phrases that sounds way better than it actually is. I learned the hard way that it doesn’t mean everything’s covered—just means you’re paying a lot for a bunch of stuff you may or may not use. The rental car thing is a classic trap. I thought I was set after a fender bender, only to find out I had to pay extra for a rental rider. Same with glass coverage... my windshield got cracked by a rogue rock and apparently that was “optional.”
I haven’t found a policy that covers rentals and glass without tacking on extra fees. Maybe if you have a spotless record and live in a magical land where insurance companies are generous? For now, I just brace myself for the fine print and try not to sneeze near my car windows.
Full coverage is such a misleading term, right? I swear, every time I think I’ve got all the bases covered, there’s some new “optional” thing I missed. Last year, my neighbor’s kid hit my side mirror with a baseball and—surprise—mirrors aren’t covered unless you add another rider. Has anyone actually found a policy that doesn’t nickel and dime you for every little thing, or is that just insurance folklore?
Totally get what you mean about “full coverage” not really being full. I’m looking at policies for the first time and it’s honestly kind of overwhelming.
- Every quote I’ve gotten so far has a different definition of what’s included. Some call roadside assistance “comprehensive,” others want to tack it on.
- I keep seeing little things like glass coverage, rental reimbursement, even pet injury coverage… all extra.
- The “uninsured motorist” thing in Nebraska threw me off too. Didn’t realize it was required until I started the process.
I’m trying to stick to a budget, but it feels like if I want real protection, the price just keeps climbing. Is there a way to figure out what’s actually necessary vs. what’s just nice to have? Or do most people just go with the minimum and hope for the best?
Full Coverage Isn’t Really “Full” (And That’s Wild)
Man, the first time I shopped for insurance, I thought “full coverage” meant I could just drive my car into a lake and someone would show up with a new one. Turns out, it’s more like “full-ish coverage, but only if you read the fine print and pay extra for every little thing.” The pet injury thing cracks me up—my dog rides shotgun, but I never thought he’d need his own policy.
Honestly, I wouldn’t just go with the minimum and cross my fingers. I’ve seen people get burned that way. Nebraska’s uninsured motorist requirement is actually one of those things that seems annoying until you realize how many folks are out there driving around with no insurance at all. Had a buddy get rear-ended by someone with nothing—he was super glad he had that coverage.
But yeah, it’s a balancing act. Some stuff is just fluff (like rental reimbursement if you’ve got a backup car or don’t mind bumming rides), but things like glass coverage can be a lifesaver if you’re on gravel roads a lot. I’d say figure out what you’d actually use, and don’t let the “extras” scare you into spending more than you need. It’s all about what keeps you sleeping at night, not just what the agent says is “full.”
It’s wild how “full coverage” sounds so reassuring until you actually need it. I remember thinking the same thing—like, if anything happened, I’d just be covered, end of story. Then you start reading through the policy and realize it’s more like a menu where everything costs extra. The pet injury thing made me laugh too. My cat hates the car, but now I’m picturing her needing her own little insurance card.
You nailed it with this:
I wouldn’t just go with the minimum and cross my fingers. I’ve seen people get burned that way.
I learned that lesson the hard way. Years ago, I had liability only because my car was old and I figured, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Well, someone sideswiped me in a parking lot and took off. No note, nothing. Turns out, uninsured motorist coverage would’ve actually helped, but I didn’t have it. Ended up paying out of pocket for the repairs, which stung way more than the monthly premium would have.
Nebraska’s requirement seemed like overkill to me at first, but after seeing how many folks drive around uninsured (or underinsured), it makes sense. It’s one of those things you hope you never need, but when you do, you’re really glad it’s there. I get what you mean about the fluff, too. I skipped rental reimbursement since my brother lives nearby and always has a spare car, but I did add glass coverage after a rock cracked my windshield on the way to work. That paid for itself pretty quick.
It really does come down to what makes sense for your situation. Agents love to pile on the extras, but half of them aren’t worth it unless you know you’ll use them. I’d rather pay a little more for the stuff that actually matters to me than get nickel-and-dimed for things I’ll never need. At the end of the day, it’s about peace of mind, not just checking boxes.
