Like, I’m sitting in my apartment in San Diego right now, windows open because the AC broke AGAIN, and I can smell someone’s overpriced poke bowl from down the hall while I stare at these quotes that look like ransom notes.
Last month I got rear-ended by a dude who was—swear to God—eating Wingstop lemon-pepper wings WITH A FORK while driving a lifted Tacoma. Zero damage to his truck, obviously. My 2012 Civic? Backend accordion’d like a sad lawn chair.
And guess what my “state minimum” car insurance coverage decided to pay? Jack squat past $5,000. I literally laughed-coughed-cried in the tow truck because the driver kept calling me “ma’am.”
Why State Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Is Straight-Up Delusional in 2025
Look, I’m not your dad, I’m not gonna lecture you with spreadsheets. But California’s 15/30/5 limits? That’s $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident, $5,000 property damage. Bro, my bumper alone cost $2,300.
The Coverage Amounts That Actually Saved My Broke Ass
Here’s what I switched to after the Wingstop incident:
- Bodily Injury: 100/300
- Property Damage: 100k
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: 100/300
- Comprehensive + Collision with $500 deductible
The Dumb Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
- Thought “full coverage” was a real term (it’s not, it’s marketing)
- Dropped comprehensive to save $28/month… then a rock on the 405 cracked my windshield two weeks later ($1,200 oopsie)
- Listed my ex as a driver to “save money” and they totaled rates for THREE YEARS after we broke up
Real Talk: How Much Car Insurance Coverage Do YOU Need?
I ran the numbers on my zip code (92101 represent) and the difference between trash coverage and “I can actually sleep” coverage was $94/month. That’s two Postmates orders I wasn’t eating anyway.
Conclusion (aka I need another coffee)
Figuring out car insurance coverage feels like choosing how you wanna get screwed—slowly or all at once. Do yourself a favor: spend the extra $80-120/month for peace of mind. Or don’t, and join me in the club of people who cry in rental cars.
Drop your own insurance horror stories below—I read every single one while stress-eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in my bathrobe. And if you wanna quote shop without talking to a human, hit up The Zebra or Policygenius.
Now if you’ll excuse me, my burrito is currently leaking on last year’s tax documents and I need to go adult. Send help. Or tacos. Preferably both.
