saving cash on insurance when you're young and broke

Sometimes paying a bit more upfront saves you a headache down the line.

That’s a tough call, especially when you’re just starting out and every dollar counts. I get tempted by those bare-bones policies too, but then I wonder if I’m just setting myself up for bigger expenses later. Has anyone actually compared the cost of adding those extras like rental or glass over a few years versus just paying out-of-pocket if something happens? I keep running the numbers but never feel totally sure what’s smarter.

Honestly, I wrestle with this too. Like you said,

I get tempted by those bare-bones policies too, but then I wonder if I’m just setting myself up for bigger expenses later.

I’ve seen people go years without ever needing those add-ons, and they end up saving a decent chunk. But then there’s always that one random rock chip or fender bender where you wish you’d paid the extra $5 a month. Have you looked at your driving habits or where you park? If you’re mostly in safe areas and don’t drive much, maybe rolling the dice makes sense. But if your luck is anything like mine (let’s just say my windshield seems to attract every pebble on the highway), it might be worth reconsidering.

It really comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with. There’s no perfect answer, but sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks... and sometimes it’s not.

Ever actually added up how much you’d save over a few years by skipping those extras versus what a single claim would cost? I’ve seen people surprised by how quickly one cracked windshield wipes out years of savings. But then again, some folks never have an issue and pocket the difference. Do you tend to have luck on your side, or has something random always come up when you least expect it? Just curious—does your driving record influence how much risk you’re willing to take, or is it more about budget?

SKIPPING EXTRAS ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST MOVE

I get where you’re coming from, but I actually lean the other way on this one. I used to be all about cutting every “unnecessary” extra from my policy—figured I’d just pay out of pocket if something small happened. But then, a couple years back, I got hit with a rock on the highway and that windshield replacement was way more than I expected. Like, it basically wiped out three years’ worth of what I’d saved by skipping glass coverage.

Thing is, it’s not just about luck or driving record for me. Even if you’re a careful driver, there’s so much you can’t control—weather, debris, other people’s mistakes. And when you’re young and broke, sometimes that one random expense can really mess up your budget for months.

I know some folks never have an issue and end up ahead by skipping extras, but honestly? For me it’s more about peace of mind than pure math. If dropping $5-10 a month means I don’t have to stress about a surprise $400 bill, that’s worth it. Especially since those “extras” are usually pretty cheap compared to the main coverage.

That said, if you’ve got an emergency fund or family backup, maybe rolling the dice makes sense. But if you’re living paycheck to paycheck like I was in college... those little add-ons can save your butt.

Guess it comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with and how tight your budget really is. Just wouldn’t assume skipping extras always pays off in the long run—sometimes it only takes one unlucky day to flip the math completely.

Honestly, I’ve tried both ways. Skipped roadside and glass coverage last year to save a few bucks, then my car battery died in a parking lot at midnight.

those little add-ons can save your butt