Dodged a bullet: finally got insured before getting pulled over

Totally get what you mean about “full coverage” being a bit of a trap. I used to think it meant I was basically invincible on the road, but then my car got a cracked windshield and turns out that wasn’t covered unless I’d added some extra glass thing. Ended up paying out of pocket, which stung. Now I’m way more careful about reading through all the little add-ons, but man, it adds up fast.

I’m always torn between saving a few bucks and just getting the peace of mind. Do you ever feel like you’re paying for stuff you’ll never use? Or has one of those random add-ons actually saved your bacon? I keep wondering if roadside is worth it or if I should just risk it and hope for the best...

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a couple of those “random” add-ons come through for me. For example:

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I keep wondering if roadside is worth it or if I should just risk it and hope for the best...

- Once got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere after midnight. Roadside covered the tow, which would’ve cost way more than the yearly fee.
- Glass coverage is tricky, yeah, but some states have different rules - worth checking if it’s bundled in your area.
- Sometimes those extras feel like overkill, but the peace of mind has saved me stress more than once.

It’s annoying how fast it adds up, but in my case, a couple of those “what are the odds?” moments made it worth it. Guess it depends on your luck (or lack of it) on the road.

It’s funny, I hear a lot of people say roadside is just a money grab, but then you get stories like yours. That “flat tire in the middle of nowhere after midnight” scenario? That’s the kind of thing you never think will happen until it does. I’ve seen claims come across my desk where someone’s stuck in a rural spot and the tow alone runs up to $300 or more. Makes me wonder how many people actually do the math on what they’re paying vs. what it could cost them in a pinch.

Sometimes those extras feel like overkill, but the peace of mind has saved me stress more than once.

I get that, but do you ever feel like there’s a line between peace of mind and just stacking on unnecessary costs? Like, where do you draw it? For example, some folks add rental reimbursement even though they have a second car or work from home - so they’d never actually use it. Is it just habit, or maybe a fear of missing out on coverage “just in case”?

The glass coverage thing is interesting too. Some states make it no-deductible, others don’t cover it at all unless you ask. I’ve always wondered how many people are actually aware of what their policy includes. Ever had to walk someone through a claim and they’re shocked by what is or isn’t covered? Happens more than you’d think.

Curious - if you had to cut one “extra” to save cash, which would it be? Or is there one you’d never drop, no matter what? Sometimes I feel like insurance is half logic, half superstition...

Rental reimbursement is the first thing I’d drop. I work from home and barely drive, so it just doesn’t make sense for me. Roadside, though - I keep it, just in case. Ever notice how some “extras” are bundled in without you even realizing? Makes me wonder how many people are paying for stuff they’ll never use...

Ever notice how some “extras” are bundled in without you even realizing? Makes me wonder how many people are paying for stuff they’ll never use...

That bundling thing gets me every time. A few years ago, I found out I’d been paying for towing coverage through my insurance and also through AAA - double coverage for the same thing. Didn’t even realize until I actually needed a tow and both companies started arguing about who was supposed to pay. It was a mess.

I get your point about rental reimbursement not making sense if you barely drive. For me, it’s the opposite - I commute a lot, so if my car’s in the shop, I really do need a rental. But roadside? That’s non-negotiable. Had a flat tire on a sketchy stretch of highway once and that roadside coverage was worth every penny. Funny how what seems like “extra” can be a lifesaver depending on your situation.

It’s wild how easy it is to overlook what you’re actually paying for. I try to go over my policy every renewal now, just to make sure I’m not getting hit with stuff I don’t need.