Okay, real talk, is full coverage worth it for older cars? Because I’m sitting here in my freezing Ohio apartment, November rain smashing the window, eating cold leftover Skyline Chili straight from the container, still mad about the $2,400 I flushed down the toilet keeping full coverage on my 2008 Civic that’s literally rusting in the driveway right now.
Why I Kept Full Coverage on My Old Car Like a Total Sucker
I’m not proud of this. For three straight years I paid $178 a month, $178!, because some Geico lady in 2019 told me “you never know.” Never know what, Karen? That a deer would yeet itself into my hood doing 12 mph in a Kroger parking lot? Because that actually happened and guess what, my car was worth $2,800 on a good day and the repair was $3,200 so they totaled it anyway. Cool. Super worth it.
The Moment I Realized Is Full Coverage Worth It for Older Cars? Nope.
Last month I ran the numbers again, highlighters everywhere, coffee stains on the quotes. Kelly Blue Book says my new-to-me 2006 CR-V is worth $3,800 private party. My collision deductible? $1,000. So unless someone literally drops a piano on it, I’m getting maybe $2,800 max. Meanwhile comprehensive + collision was adding $94 a month. That’s $1,128 a year to protect $2,800. I could buy another whole CR-V every three years with that money. Math is undefeated, y’all.
Actual Calculator I Used (You Should Too)
When Full Coverage on Older Cars Actually Makes Sense (I Hate That This Is True)
Okay, fine, sometimes I’m wrong. Here’s when I’d still keep it:
- You owe more on the loan than the car is worth (negative equity hell)
- You live in a city where theft is wild (looking at you, Cincinnati)
- Your car is a 2013+ with expensive electronics that cost $4k to replace
But me? My CR-V has manual windows and a cassette player. If someone steals it they deserve the headache.
My Dumbest Insurance Story (Yes, Dumber Than the Deer)
- I’m parallel parking downtown, clip a Tesla (of course). Dude wants $900 for a scratch the size of a quarter. My liability covered it, but because I had full coverage they tried to raise my rates anyway. Dropped them the next day like a hot potato. Switched to Progressive, saved $73 a month, and bought myself a Switch OLED with the difference. No regrets.
Current Rates I’m Paying (Nov 2025, Ohio)
- Liability only: $64/month
- Added comprehensive (for the raccoons breaking in): $79/month
- Full coverage quote I laughed at: $157/month
So… Is Full Coverage Worth It for Older Cars? My Final Answer
If your car is worth less than 10x your annual collision+comprehensive premium, drop it. Like, today. I did it last week and immediately Venmo’d myself a celebratory $100 for “emotional damages.”
Look, I’m just a 34-year-old in sweatpants eating chili with a plastic fork, but I finally learned: insurance companies love fear. Don’t give them yours.
Drop full coverage on that old beater. Take the $1,000+ you save every year and buy something that actually makes you happy. For me that’s concert tickets and therapy. Mostly therapy.
Anyway, tell me in the comments, are you still paying for full coverage on your 15-year-old Corolla? Be honest. I won’t judge… much.
P.S. If you’re in Ohio and want my Progressive agent’s info, DM me. She’s savage and got me roadside assistance for $8/year. Legend.
