I hear you on the deductible thing—bumping it up a bit can make a real difference month-to-month. For me, though, I've always struggled with the idea of skipping comprehensive, mostly because of the classic car angle. Older cars tend to attract weird, unpredictable issues (and critters apparently, haha). But here's the thing: sometimes comprehensive feels like a rip-off when you're driving something older that's not worth a ton on paper. A buddy of mine had this mint '78 Camaro, and when it got dinged in a parking lot, insurance offered peanuts because they valued it like some rusted-out junker.
I ended up going with specialized classic car insurance for my '72 Mustang. It was surprisingly affordable, and they actually understood the value of what I had. Still skeptical about how they'd handle a real claim, but at least I know they're not gonna treat it like some old beater.
But I'm curious—anyone here tried those pay-per-mile insurance options? I've heard mixed things...sounds great if you don't drive much, but seems like it could get complicated fast if you suddenly have to commute more. Not sure I'd trust it yet, but maybe someone else has given it a shot?
Tried pay-per-mile for about six months last year—here's my quick take:
- Good if you're barely driving. Saved me a decent chunk when I was working remote.
- BUT...the second your mileage spikes, the savings vanish fast. Had a month where I had to commute daily (unexpected job change), and my bill shot way up.
- Also, heads up: some companies track your driving habits (speed, braking, etc.). As someone who's not exactly a saint behind the wheel, that made me pretty uncomfortable. Felt like Big Brother watching every move.
- If you're high-risk or have tickets on your record (like yours truly), the per-mile rate can be higher from the start. So do the math carefully before jumping in.
Bottom line: If your driving patterns are stable and low-mileage, it's worth considering. But if things are unpredictable or you drive aggressively at all, I'd steer clear.
Totally get where you're coming from with the tracking thing...I tried one of those apps once to get a discount, and it felt like I was being graded every time I hit the brakes a little too hard or accelerated quickly. Like, sorry for not driving like my grandma all the time, lol.
But yeah, your point about mileage spikes is spot-on. My commute's pretty steady right now, but I've been thinking about switching jobs soon, and who knows what that'll do to my driving habits. Guess pay-per-mile might be risky if life throws you a curveball.
Anyway, props for giving it a shot and sharing your experience. Insurance is such a headache when you're young and broke—feels like you're always choosing between saving money and keeping your sanity.
Have you looked into bundling your car insurance with renter's or something else? I was skeptical at first, but when I combined my auto with renter's insurance, I actually ended up saving more than I expected. Not life-changing money or anything, but enough to make it worth the hassle.
Also, have you tried shopping around every year or two? I used to stick with the same company because it felt easier, but then I randomly decided to get quotes from a few others and realized I'd been overpaying for years. Felt kinda dumb, honestly...but lesson learned.
And yeah, totally agree about the tracking apps. Tried that once and felt like I was back in driver's ed, lol. Maybe they're good for some people, but personally, I'd rather just find other ways to save without feeling watched all the time.
Bundling definitely helps, but honestly, it depends on your situation. I drive a luxury car, and at first, bundling seemed like a no-brainer. But when I actually ran the numbers, it wasn't always cheaper—sometimes separate policies gave me better coverage for less. Totally agree about shopping around though; loyalty doesn't pay in insurance, sadly. And yeah, those tracking apps...no thanks. I'd rather pay a bit extra than have my driving habits judged every time I accelerate a little too enthusiastically, lol.
