Is it okay not to buy vehicle damage insurance?

[LaAnna]

Auto insurance can be purchased without vehicle damage insurance, depending on your actual situation. Classification of auto insurance: Auto insurance is generally divided into compulsory traffic insurance and commercial auto insurance. Compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory, and failure to pay it may result in penalties. Commercial auto insurance, on the other hand, includes third-party liability insurance, vehicle damage insurance, and passenger liability insurance, among others. These are not mandatory, so car owners can choose to purchase them based on their needs. If they deem it unnecessary, they can opt not to buy them. Definition of vehicle damage insurance: Vehicle damage insurance means that when an accident occurs and the car owner is fully at fault, if their vehicle is damaged and requires repairs, the vehicle damage insurance can be used—meaning the insurance company will cover the repair costs. If vehicle damage insurance is not purchased and the car owner is fully at fault, they will have to pay for the repairs themselves, as the insurance company will not cover the expenses.

[VonClara]

I've been driving for over a decade. At first, I thought car damage insurance was unnecessary and tried to save on premiums. But after a minor scrape cost me over 5,000 RMB in repairs out of pocket, it really hurt. Without this coverage, you'd have to bear all vehicle loss costs yourself - including accident repairs or even total write-off risks. While not mandatory, I see car damage insurance as a safety net, especially for new cars or frequent long-distance drivers, preventing massive unexpected expenses. Drive carefully, but if rear-ended or hit by natural disasters, insurance shares the burden. If your budget allows, I recommend getting it - don't lose big trying to save small.

[VonJaxson]

Our family budget is tight, so we deliberately skipped the vehicle damage insurance when buying a car to save thousands in premiums. Financially, if you're a skilled driver with few accidents, it might be cost-effective in the short term. However, the risk is that repair costs could exceed tens of thousands in case of an accident, potentially draining your savings. For example, our neighbor had to spend over 3,000 yuan to replace a smashed window—without insurance, it would've been a disaster. Vehicle damage insurance premiums aren't high, and in most cases, claims are more convenient, covering your own vehicle's repairs. We recommend weighing the costs: assess your driving habits and car condition. If you often drive an older car or commute less in urban areas, you might consider skipping it; otherwise, buying insurance offers peace of mind.

[HaleyLynn]

I just got my driver's license last year and hesitated about buying collision insurance when I purchased a used car. At the time, I skipped it to avoid the hassle, but last month I backed into a pole and had to pay over 2,000 RMB out of pocket for repairs. Now I understand—not having it means being fully responsible for any vehicle damage after an accident, especially when you're prone to mistakes as a new driver. Collision insurance covers losses from accidents, theft, etc., with premiums varying based on the car's age and coverage amount—it's not expensive. I recommend new drivers buy it at least for the first year and decide whether to cancel it later once they're more experienced. Safety first.

[FinleyAnn]

From the regulations, auto damage insurance is a commercial coverage, not mandatory like compulsory third-party liability insurance which only covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. Without auto damage insurance, you bear the full risk of your vehicle's damage, including repair or total loss costs. For example, I once saw a colleague's car engine ruined by flooding – without insurance, they had to pay the full cost of replacement. It's advisable to assess your vehicle usage frequency and environment: if you only drive short distances in the city with an older car, the risk might be low; but for frequent long-distance travel or areas with unpredictable weather, coverage is recommended. The key is balancing cost and protection based on personal circumstances.