How much should my auto deductible be?

Asked by: Elmira Kovacek  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (31 votes)

Generally, drivers tend to have average deductibles of $500. Common deductible amounts also include $250, $1000, and $2000, according to WalletHub. You can also select separate comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles.

What is a good deductible for auto insurance?

A $1,000 deductible is usually the sweet spot for savings. Bumping a $500 deductible up to $1,000 will give you a better discount than increasing a $1,000 deductible further to $2,000. Choosing a $250 deductible over a $100 one will also save you a significant chunk of money.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

A $1,000 deductible is better than a $500 deductible if you can afford the increased out-of-pocket cost in the event of an accident, because a higher deductible means you'll pay lower premiums. Choosing an insurance deductible depends on the size of your emergency fund and how much you can afford for monthly premiums.

Is a 500 deductible good?

It's best to have a $500 collision deductible unless you have a large amount of savings. Remember, this deductible amount has to be paid every time you make a collision claim.

How do I choose my deductible?

You get to choose your deductible when you buy your policy. Policies with lower deductibles have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. And policies with higher deductibles have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.

Should I Have a $500 or $1000 Auto Insurance Deductible

39 related questions found

How can I lower my car insurance deductible?

Listed below are other things you can do to lower your insurance costs.
  1. Shop around. ...
  2. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
  3. Ask for higher deductibles. ...
  4. Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
  5. Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
  6. Maintain a good credit record. ...
  7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts.

Should I pay deductible if not at fault?

You do not have to pay a car insurance deductible if you are not at fault in a car accident. ... You will have to pay a deductible for collision coverage and personal injury protection, but your insurance company will eventually recoup your costs through subrogation with the at-fault driver's insurer.

Why is my deductible so high?

Why so high? Typically when you have a health insurance plan with a low monthly premium (the monthly payment), you'll have a higher deductible. This means you won't be paying a lot for your monthly bill, but if you need to use your insurance, you'll have to pay for medical expenses until you reach your deductible.

Is it better to have a low deductible or high deductible?

Key takeaways. Low deductibles are best when an illness or injury requires extensive medical care. High-deductible plans offer more manageable premiums and access to HSAs. HSAs offer a trio of tax benefits and can be a source of retirement income.

Is a 2000 deductible high car insurance?

For most policyholders, a $2,000 comprehensive deductible will likely be much higher than they need. What these numbers don't show is the whole range of claims filed, so there will be outliers with much lower and much higher claim amounts.

What does a 500 dollar deductible mean for car insurance?

After you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Example: You have a $500 deductible and $3,000 in damage from a covered accident. Your insurer will pay $2,500 to repair your car, and you'll be responsible for the remaining $500.

Why is my auto insurance deductible so high?

Expensive vehicles cost more to insure. In this case, a high deductible might make sense because you would have higher savings on your premiums. ... For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and your used car needs a total repair of only $600, you would pay that entire amount out of pocket.

What does a 1000 deductible mean on auto insurance?

If you have a $1,000 deductible, you will pay $1,000 out of pocket if you have an approved claim covered under collision. For example, if you file a claim for $5,000 worth of repairs, you will pay $1,000 and the insurance company will pay $4,000.

Do I pay deductible if not at fault Geico?

If you carry collision coverage on your car, then you may be eligible for the California Deductible Waiver. With this waiver, your insurance company will pay the collision deductible on your car if an uninsured driver causes an accident.

Is a $0 deductible good?

Is a zero-deductible plan good? A plan without a deductible usually provides good coverage and is a smart choice for those who expect to need expensive medical care or ongoing medical treatment. Choosing health insurance with no deductible usually means paying higher monthly costs.

Is it better to pay higher premium or higher deductible?

In most cases, the higher a plan's deductible, the lower the premium. When you're willing to pay more up front when you need care, you save on what you pay each month. The lower a plan's deductible, the higher the premium.

Are high deductible plans worth it?

You could potentially save money — by paying lower premiums — by choosing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). These plans also qualify you for a health savings account (HSA), but you'll have to cover any medical expenses — even a primary care visit — on your own until your coverage kicks in.

What is a reasonable deductible?

The average deductible is $1,655 this year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. That means the typical American will need to pay up to that amount before their insurance starts to pay their bills. Of course if you don't have any major medical needs, you may pay less.

Is a $3000 deductible high?

A high-deductible plan has a maximum of $7,050 for in-network out-of-pocket costs for single coverage and $14,100 for family coverage. Those costs include deductibles, copays and coinsurance. So, let's say you have a deductible of $3,000. ... With an HDHP plan, you'd pick up the first $3,000.

What does a $8000 deductible Mean?

A deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance provider begins to pay. ... This means you pay $1,000 and then the insurance company picks up the tab for the remaining $4,000. If you have a policy with coinsurance you may also be responsible for part of the $4,000 (often 20%).

Do I have to pay my deductible to fix someone else's car?

What if I hit another car? If you hit a car and are found at fault, you won't have to pay a deductible for your insurance to cover the other driver's damage. ... You only pay a deductible if you're at fault and need repairs to your own car.

Do I pay a deductible if someone hits me?

Your insurance company will pay for your damages, minus your deductible. Don't worry — if the claim is settled and it's determined you weren't at fault for the accident, you'll get your deductible back.

When someone hits your car who pays the deductible?

You do not have to pay a deductible if someone hits your parked car, that person is identified, and they have property damage liability insurance. If you file a claim with your own collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage after someone hits your car, then you will likely have to pay a deductible.

What does a $100 deductible mean?

Deductibles are the cost you will pay out-of-pocket during an insurance claim. ... On the other hand, if your deductible is $100, then you will only pay $100 before the insurance company pays the remaining $3,900.

What is the downside to having a high deductible?

The cons of high deductible health plans

Yes, high deductible health plans keep your monthly payments low. But they put you at risk of facing large medical bills you can't afford. Since HDHPs generally only cover preventive care, an accident or emergency could result in very high out of pocket costs.