Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen folks regret dropping collision or rental after a fender bender or when their car’s in the shop for weeks. The “extras” can seem like overkill—until you actually need them. It’s always a gamble, but sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks.
Had a buddy with a '72 Chevelle who thought dropping collision was a smart move—until a hailstorm left it looking like a golf ball. The repair bill was brutal. I get wanting to save, but sometimes those “extras” really do pay for themselves.
Cutting insurance costs is tempting, but dropping collision or comprehensive? That’s a gamble I’m rarely willing to take, especially with older cars you actually care about.
- Premiums can feel like money down the drain if nothing happens, but one storm, deer, or runaway shopping cart and you’re out way more than you saved.
- Seen too many classics (and daily drivers) get trashed by hail or a fender bender. The payout for repairs usually dwarfs what you’d pay extra in premiums over the years.
- Once had a ‘91 Civic I thought wasn’t worth much. Dropped comp/collision. Next month, neighbor’s tree branch took out the windshield and hood. Out of pocket was almost half what the car was worth. Never made that mistake again.
I get it—if your car’s barely worth a grand or you’ve got a beater just for commuting, maybe it makes sense to risk it. But for anything you’d actually want to fix after an accident? I’d keep those “extras.” They’re not really extras when you need them.
Guess it comes down to your risk tolerance. For me, peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks a month. Insurance is one of those things that feels useless—until suddenly it isn’t...
Honestly, I’m with you on this one. Dropping comp/collision just to save a few bucks feels like tempting fate—especially if you actually care about your car or can’t just buy another one tomorrow. I had a buddy who ditched his coverage on a “cheap” Accord, then got sideswiped in a parking lot. No insurance, no payout, and suddenly that “cheap” car cost him way more than he thought. Sometimes it’s not about the value of the car, but how much you’d hate having to eat that loss. Peace of mind is underrated... until you need it.
Cutting corners on coverage always sounds good until you’re the one footing the bill for a busted fender or worse. I get the urge to save—trust me, I just got my first policy and those numbers made my eyes water. But after running the math, it’s wild how fast a “cheap” car can turn into a money pit if you’re unlucky. Even if your ride isn’t worth much, repairs can still sting, and unless you’ve got a backup car or a fat emergency fund, dropping comp/collision feels risky.
I almost went barebones myself, but then I remembered my luck with electronics (spoiler: not great). If my phone can find a puddle, my car can find a runaway shopping cart. For me, paying a bit more each month is worth not having to stress every time I park somewhere sketchy. Maybe if you’re driving a total beater and could walk away tomorrow, it makes sense. But for most of us? That peace of mind is hard to put a price on.