Should I put comprehensive insurance back on my truck?

[Astro14]

I fault the guy who buys a truck with thousand dollar tail lights. It's almost as if people just woke up one morning and asked to be abused by the auto industry. Had everyone stopped tolerating this and sales dropped it would have all gone a different direction.

Who asks about the cost of the tail-lights when they buy a truck? Why would you fault the average buyer?

Most buyers never ask about the cost of spare parts, and most salesman likely have no idea, further, even if they did, they’re likely not gonna be straight up about that.

 

[CarbonToast]

I just can't see how putting heaters and circuit boards in a tail light makes is safer or saves money. A simple led lamp in a regular tail light would have been wiser. Who will buy a 15 year old truck if they have to pay four grand for a tail light? Who will buy an older vehicle if the manufacturer locks down the software after x amount of years? The big picture says they are taking control and forcing people to continue to buy new vehicles after x amount of years.

On the lower end models its a normal light with resistor bulbs. The expensive lights everyone is complaining about are available on the high end models. Its a $90k truck not the base model. You gotta pay to play.

 

[CarbonToast]

I fault the guy who buys a truck with thousand dollar tail lights. It's almost as if people just woke up one morning and asked to be abused by the auto industry. Had everyone stopped tolerating this and sales dropped it would have all gone a different direction.

Exactly, no one made you buy a king ranch, platinum, Laramie, Denali. Just buy the low spec that has a same capability and none of the BS.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I fault the guy who buys a truck with thousand dollar tail lights. It's almost as if people just woke up one morning and asked to be abused by the auto industry. Had everyone stopped tolerating this and sales dropped it would have all gone a different direction.

I could easily afford a new vehicle, but the more of this stuff I read about, the more dedicated I am to keeping my '90's dinosaurs around forever.

 

[Capt W]

I'd estimate my 07 dodge ram 2500 is probably around 15k. Honestly, I'm not sure if there is much difference in cost between liability and full comprehensive insurance. I pay $50/month for this truck. I guess it's one of the benefits to having an older vehicle. The biggest difference is who the carrier is.

To get back to your original query, I'll tell you I'm very much in a similar situation with a 40K-mile '08 Charger R/T I bought brand new. To get a solid opinion you'll need the actual delta in the premiums with and without comp/collision. I still have full coverage on the Charger, not only because it's still in like-new condition, but also because the premium increase is only about $40 per six months (I pay $260 every six months; it would be about $220 without comp & collision)...with a $1K deductible. Not a lot for a little extra peace of mind.

To further muddy the water, though, I currently bundle my cars and homeowner's insurance through Allstate. As a result I have a little more to compare when it comes time to pay the premiums. But in any case, I shop coverage every six months and have zero loyalty to any company. Many companies would dump you in a hot minute after a claim; why people are so loyal to insurers is a mystery to me.

Just asking here, but if premiums are a concern why pay monthly? Most companies offer a nice "paid in full" discount when you pay for the entire 6 months or year up front.

Anyway, as HowAboutThis suggested, plug in all the data online and see what makes the most sense for you. And definitely shop, shop, shop. Try all the big ones (GEICO, Progressive, USAA (if applicable), etc.) and a local or two. It really doesn't take too long. All the best!

 

[Capt W]

I could easily afford a new vehicle, but the more of this stuff I read about, the more dedicated I am to keeping my '90's dinosaurs around forever.

You & me both! There are many reasons I daily drive an '86 Daytona, but the $90.00 every six months for insurance sure helps!

 

[Arc]

Exactly, no one made you buy a king ranch, platinum, Laramie, Denali. Just buy the low spec that has a same capability and none of the BS.

I say bring back the old cheap work truck and then we can customize it ourselves. I don't want to drive what everybody else has all because the computer shuts down from aftermarket parts.

 

[Arc]

On the lower end models its a normal light with resistor bulbs. The expensive lights everyone is complaining about are available on the high end models. Its a $90k truck not the base model. You gotta pay to play.

I see. I thought it was all of them.

 

[Arc]

Who asks about the cost of the tail-lights when they buy a truck? Why would you fault the average buyer?

Most buyers never ask about the cost of spare parts, and most salesman likely have no idea, further, even if they did, they’re likely not gonna be straight up about that.

I probably wouldn't ask either but if I bought a ten year old truck for five grand then found out it costs more than the trucks value just to replace some tail lghts I would be mad. I can only imagine what a headlight costs plus the programming to install a new one.