As car insurance premiums climb, more drivers are making difficult choices—raising deductibles, settling for minimum coverage, or dropping insurance altogether. In this episode, I examine the growing affordability crunch and what it means for drivers and everyone sharing the road.

I explain how low state minimum coverage can leave drivers financially exposed after a crash, why policy lapses can lead to canceled registrations or sharply higher premiums, and how high-risk insurance pools can trap drivers for years. The consequences go beyond finances: when damaged vehicles stay on the road with unresolved safety issues, the risks ripple through the entire transportation system.