Got my first insurance plan thinking I was covered for everything, then blew a tire on a remote highway at night.
I feel you on that. Had a similar experience a while back—thought I was being smart by getting the cheapest roadside coverage available. Then, of course, my battery decided to die in the middle of nowhere. Called them up and got hit with the "sorry, you've reached your limit" line. Ended up flagging down someone for a jump-start. Lesson learned: always double-check those call limits before signing up...cheap isn't always cheaper in the long run.
Honestly, I've had the opposite experience. Years ago, I canceled my roadside coverage completely and just started keeping a compact jump-starter kit and tire inflator in my trunk. Haven't looked back since. Sure, it might not cover every scenario (knock on wood...), but it's saved me from waiting hours for help more than once. Sometimes paying extra isn't always the best solution either—it's about knowing your comfort zone and being prepared.
I get the appeal of being self-sufficient, but honestly, as someone who's still getting comfortable behind the wheel, I feel safer knowing I have roadside coverage. Last month, I got a flat tire on a busy highway during rush hour, and even though I had a tire inflator in my trunk, I was way too nervous to handle it myself with cars zooming past. Waiting for assistance felt like forever, but at least I wasn't fumbling around alone. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra cost...
"Waiting for assistance felt like forever, but at least I wasn't fumbling around alone."
Totally get where you're coming from with this. I've been driving for years and still feel uneasy about changing a tire on busy roads—especially highways. It's not just about knowing how to do it; it's the stress of cars flying past at 70 mph that makes me hesitate. A friend once told me she keeps a reflective vest in her trunk just in case, which seems smart, but honestly, would that even help much if you're already nervous?
Curious though, has anyone here actually practiced changing a tire in a safe environment (like an empty parking lot or driveway)? Wondering if doing it under calm conditions might make it less intimidating when things go sideways on the road...
I've actually tried practicing in my driveway once or twice—honestly, it did help a bit with confidence. But yeah, nothing really prepares you for the stress of cars zooming by...maybe the reflective vest at least makes you feel slightly safer?
