I hear many people ask, “My car is getting older. Do I still need full coverage? When should I remove comprehensive and collision from my vehicle?” In years past, people used to recommend removing these coverages when a vehicle was 7 years or 10 years old. However, vehicles cost a lot more these days, and they hold their value longer.
Because of this, there really isn’t a set answer for when you should remove full coverage from your vehicle. Instead, there are a few things to consider.
- How much is your car worth? This is the first thing to determine when trying to see if you should remove full coverage. The most you will ever get in a claim is how much your vehicle is worth, minus your deductible. For example, let’s say you have a vehicle that’s worth $7000 and you have a $500 deductible. Then the most you would get in a claim is $6500. Kelly Blue Book private party value is a good guideline to go by, but a claims adjuster will use a lot of different tools to determine the value if you ever have a claim.
- How much are you paying for the coverage? I will take a second to mention here that you are really talking about 2 different coverages- comprehensive and collision. You can remove just collision if you want, and that is the more expensive coverage in most cases. Let’s say for this example that you are paying $400 per year for collision.
- Is it worth paying the annual premium for the amount of coverage that you are getting? There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people would rather pay a little more per month and know that if something happens, they have coverage. Other’s would rather save money per month and take their chances that nothing will happen. I want you to be informed of your options, and you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Related: What is the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision?
So those are a few things to consider when you are thinking of removing full coverage or collision coverage from your vehicle. If you have any questions related to your specific policy, give us a call today! Our experts at Think Safe Insurance would love to help you review your situation! 813-425-1626