Okay so let’s talk about something I absolutely did not understand when I bought my first car: insurance.
I thought I was prepared. I had my car picked out, playlist ready, snacks in the glove box (obviously), and I even remembered how to use the emergency brake. But then this very boring man in khaki pants said the words:
“Have you figured out your coverage yet?”
And I just froze.
I blinked, smiled, and said: “Yeah! Of course! All set.”
That moment kicked off a spiral of googling, awkward phone calls, and one very weird conversation with a friend of a friend who sold insurance and said things like “let’s circle back.” I had no idea what I was doing.
So if you’re in that boat right now—fresh keys in hand, heart full of hope, and exactly zero clue what insurance to get—hi, you’re not alone. This one’s for you.
Wait, Do I Need Car Insurance? (Yes, Yes You Do)
Let me just clear this up quick: you can’t legally drive without insurance in most states. Unless you’re trying to go full GTA mode (which I do not recommend unless you enjoy fines and losing your license).
But here’s the kicker: even if you could drive without it, I wouldn’t. Why?
Because accidents happen. Sometimes it’s your fault. Sometimes it’s a rogue raccoon. Or a mailbox that definitely wasn’t there yesterday. And you really don’t want to be the person Venmoing $5,000 to someone because you only had a “good vibe and a prayer” instead of insurance.
What Is the Best Coverage for First-Time Car Owners?
Honestly? It depends. (Yes, that’s annoying, but hang with me.)
There isn’t one-size-fits-all, but there is a best-for-you. And first-time drivers—especially the young ones, sorry Gen Z—are usually more expensive to insure because statistically… we kinda suck at driving. No offense. I hit a pole once while eating a burrito. I get it.
Here’s what you wanna look at:
💥 Liability Coverage — The Mandatory One
You have to get this. It’s what pays if you mess up and hurt someone or break something. Think: hit a Prius, tap a mailbox, knock over your neighbor’s precious garden gnome (RIP Sir Gnomes-a-Lot).
There are two parts:
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
Pro Tip: Go higher than the state minimum. Trust me. That state minimum might not even cover a trip to the ER and an Uber ride home.
🚘 Collision Coverage — When You Hit Stuff
This covers damage to your car, no matter who caused the crash. Someone rear-ends you? You hit a stop sign while adjusting your AC? Boom. Covered.
I didn’t get this the first time. Thought I was invincible. Then a squirrel ran out, I swerved (dramatically, like in the movies), and suddenly I had $2,300 in repairs and a squirrel that definitely lived longer than my front bumper.
Lesson learned.
🌪️ Comprehensive Coverage — For the Weird Stuff
This is the one for everything not related to a crash. Think: hailstorms, theft, floods, fires, falling trees, or the neighbor kid deciding your hood is a great canvas for his “mud art.”
I thought this was optional. Then I parked under a tree for a week and came back to find my windshield cracked, a mysterious dent, and what might’ve been a raccoon footprint.
🧑⚕️ Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay
Some states require this. It helps cover your medical bills, and sometimes lost wages. If you’re in a no-fault state (hi, Florida), this is extra important.
Honestly, even if it’s optional—if you don’t have good health insurance, consider adding it. Because ER visits are not cheap. Ask my wallet.
What I Actually Got in Best coverage for first-time car owners
My first-ever policy? Just liability. State minimums. I was broke. I figured, “How bad can it be?”
Answer: bad. Real bad.
The week after getting my license, I backed into a concrete pillar in a Target parking garage. Couldn’t even be mad. It didn’t move. It was my fault. No coverage for my car meant I paid for the repairs out of pocket. Every. Dented. Dollar.
If I could go back? I’d get:
- Liability (way above the minimum)
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Maybe even a rental car add-on (because I was carless for two weeks and Uber Eats is not sustainable)
How to Save on Your First Policy (Without Going Broke or Crying)
Here’s the good stuff I wish someone had tattooed on my arm:
1. Bundle, baby.
If your parents have insurance? Ask if you can piggyback onto their policy. It’s way cheaper. Just don’t crash Mom’s SUV or you’ll be benched for life.
2. Good student discount.
If you’re in school and not failing out—flex that GPA. You might score 10-15% off. Being a nerd pays.
3. Drive safe and get a tracking app.
Some insurers offer discounts if you let them track your driving with an app. As long as you’re not doing donuts in parking lots at 2am, this could save you $$$.
4. Raise your deductible.
This is risky, but if you’re confident you won’t crash (or at least hope so), raising your deductible lowers your monthly premium.
Things Nobody Tells about Best coverage for first-time car owners
- Your zip code matters. Like, a lot. Live in an area with tons of accidents or car thefts? Your rate’s gonna spike. Even if you’re a perfect angel who only drives to Trader Joe’s.
- The car you drive matters even more. A 10-year-old Camry? Cheap to insure. A brand-new BMW with LED lights and backup moon landing sensors? Your premium’s gonna look like rent.
- Once you’re insured for a while, it gets cheaper. Stay insured, don’t switch every 3 months, don’t crash into a Dairy Queen—your rate will go down.
TL;DR (But Please Read Anyway, I Worked Hard on This)
- Best coverage for first-time car owners = liability + collision + comprehensive (if you can swing it)
- Don’t cheap out just to save $20/month. That’ll bite you hard.
- Ask all the dumb questions. There are no dumb questions. Only dumb bills later.
- Discounts are real. Grab them like they’re the last donut in the box.
- Learn from my Target pillar moment. Please.
