How much should your auto deductible be?

Asked by: Dr. Blake Boehm DDS  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (14 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.

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.

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.

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

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Is it better to have a lower deductible for car insurance?

Most often, a lower deductible means higher monthly payments. If you have a low deductible, you have more coverage from your insurance company and you have to pay less out of pocket in the case of a claim. A higher deductible means a reduced cost in your insurance premium.

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.

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.

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.

What is better a high or low deductible?

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.

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.

Will I get my deductible back?

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.

What does ACV less 500 deductible mean?

If you chose a $500 deductible, you would pay the first $500 out of pocket to replace your vehicle. Your Comprehensive insurance would then pay the rest of the cost to replace your vehicle, up to the lower of the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle or the Stated Amount that you submitted.

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.

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.

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.

Do I have to pay deductible if car is totaled?

The short answer? Yes, you do. In order for your insurance company to pay out on the claim, they'll subtract your deductible from the total payout. You'll usually have to pay all of your deductible regardless of how much insurance pays for a totaled car.

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%).

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 ACV mean for auto insurance?

The actual cash value (ACV) of a car is how much it's worth today. This value includes the depreciation of your vehicle. It also shows how much the insurance company pays out when it declares a car a total loss.

What does ACV mean with insurance?

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

ACV is the amount to replace or fix your home and personal items, minus depreciation. Depreciation is a decrease in value based on things like age, or wear and tear.

Do you pay car insurance deductible upfront?

According to AutoInsuranceQuote, some insurance companies do not require you to pay your deductible up front. ... That is the amount of your claim minus your deductible. In this case, you will not need to pay your deductible before having any repairs done.

What is collision deductible?

Collision coverage has a deductible, which is the amount you pay before your coverage helps pay for your claim. You can typically choose the amount of your collision deductible when you buy coverage. ... Your collision coverage limit is typically the actual cash value of your vehicle (its value minus depreciation).