I have paid my car insurance for almost 30 years, and I have been in only 2 accidents where I was at fault. 

A lot of damage can occurs in 6 months.

Just to cover those unexpected costs if they occur.  

Also be careful you don't get sued for negligence and accidents for uninsured people. 

Bankruptcy can also occur if you are just plain stupid, overly optimistic or have a life event (divorce, hospitalization etc.).

Not only are you wasting energy if this is occurring- next time, it might be a person under that giant icicle!

Is there anything I can do to protect myself from an accident?

And of course that happening once is a fortunate accident. 

This gives you the ability to decide on exit timing and a vote is only required if you feel that the sale needs to occur later than ten years. 

I am 21 years old that has went to college fell out of college (due to a car accident that left me without knowing who I was), went to the air force and medically released due to "health problems", to making it halfway through to becoming a fireman.