Had this happen a couple years back—someone sideswiped my parked car and took off. My regular collision did cover it, but I still had to pay the deductible, which stung a bit. Uninsured motorist property damage wasn’t included in my policy at the time, so that wasn’t an option. If you’ve got both, you’re probably better protected, but it really depends on your coverage details. Insurance fine print is a pain...
Ever notice how insurance companies make it so tricky to figure out what’s actually covered until you need it? I’ve always wondered—if you add uninsured motorist property damage, does it usually have a lower deductible than collision, or is it about the same? I’ve heard stories both ways, but never got a straight answer from my agent. Anyone ever compare the two after a claim?
Ever notice how insurance companies make it so tricky to figure out what’s actually covered until you need it?
Totally agree—insurance fine print is a maze. In my experience, UM property damage deductibles can be lower than collision, but it really depends on your state and insurer. Mine was $250 for UM vs $500 for collision, but a friend had the opposite. It’s wild how inconsistent it is. I honestly think they bank on us not noticing the details until it’s too late.
I honestly think they bank on us not noticing the details until it’s too late.
That’s exactly it. The way they bury stuff in the policy is almost impressive, in a frustrating way. I remember when my neighbor got sideswiped by someone with no insurance—she thought her collision would cover it, but turns out her deductible was double what she expected. Meanwhile, her UM property damage deductible was way less, but she didn’t even realize she had that coverage until after the fact.
It’s nuts how you can pay for years and still get tripped up by some random clause or number you missed. I always tell people to actually call their agent and ask them to walk through each scenario, even if it feels awkward or nitpicky. It’s your money on the line. And honestly, sometimes you can negotiate those deductibles down a bit if you’re willing to shop around or bundle stuff. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s worth a shot.
Insurance is one of those things where being “too careful” never really backfires... except maybe on your patience.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—those policy details are like a maze. I always wonder, why do they make it so complicated? Last year, I actually sat down with my agent and asked about every single coverage and deductible. Felt a bit paranoid, but turns out I was missing out on a lower UM deductible too. Have you ever tried comparing policies from different companies? Sometimes the differences are wild, especially if you’re bundling. Makes me think it’s worth checking every couple of years, even if it’s a hassle.