Is a lower deductible good?

Asked by: Meggie Emard  |  Last update: November 26, 2025
Score: 5/5 (69 votes)

A lower deductible plan is a great choice if you have unique medical concerns or chronic conditions that need frequent treatment. While this plan has a higher monthly premium, if you go to the doctor often or you're at risk of a possible medical emergency, you have a more affordable deductible.

Is it better to have a higher or lower deductible?

What makes more financial sense, low or high insurance deductibles? There is NO generally speaking rule on this. It is all MATH. If the higher deductible saves enough money to warrant the higher deductible, take the higher deductible. If the savings on a higher deductible is negligible, keep the lower deductible.

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

Generally speaking, yes, a higher deductible is the better choice long term. Especially if you have a good driving history.

Is it good to have a $0 deductible?

Comments Section $0 deductible is very uncommon and you pay a lot to have it that low. Most would be $500 or greater to strike the balance. $0 deductible implies you want insurance to pay for every small thing. That costs them money. $500 deductible implies you'll only use insurance when a major issue happens.

What happens if you lower your deductible?

Policies with lower deductibles typically have higher premiums, meaning you'll pay more each month for your insurance coverage. However, if you have a higher deductible, you may be able to save money on your premiums but may be responsible for paying more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

High or Low Deductible Plan - Which is Right for You?

25 related questions found

What is a disadvantage of having a high deductible?

Cons of High Deductible Healthcare Plans

Individuals who are stretched thin for funds may delay or avoid seeking medical treatment due to the high cost of treatment. For example, someone injured may avoid the emergency room if they know it will result in an expensive bill that will be applied to the plan deductible.

Is diminishing deductible worth it?

Because your collision deductible will decrease over time if you remain accident free, typically vanishing deductibles are worth it to save you money down the road.

What are the disadvantages of a deductible?

Disadvantages of Deductibles
  • Delayed Care. If you have a high health insurance deductible, you may hesitate to seek medical care until you've met your deductible. ...
  • Limited Provider Network. ...
  • Higher Out-of-Pocket Costs. ...
  • Complexity of Healthcare Costs.

What is a good deductible price?

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.

Do you ever pay more than your deductible?

What you pay goes toward your deductible first. Once you've met that amount for the year, further out of network payments accumulate on top of that deductible amount until you meet your out-of-pocket max. The amount you pay for covered services with an out of network provider is 40%. That 40% is your coinsurance.

Should I pay the deductible if not at fault?

Do I Have to Pay My Deductible if I'm Not at Fault? If you get into an accident and it's not your fault, the other driver's insurance company should pay for the damages, and you may not have to pay your deductible.

Does a higher deductible make your insurance cheaper?

With a higher deductible you'll pay more out of pocket, but your car insurance rate will be lower.

Why are deductible so high?

High Deductible Health Plans are designed to offer more affordable monthly premiums, making them an attractive option for individuals looking to save on their health insurance costs. However, this comes with the trade-off of higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

Is $10,000 a high deductible?

If you are on a High Deductible health plan:

For many plans, the deductible can be greater than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for families i.e. you have to pay this amount out of pocket before insurance starts covering your cost of medical care.

Does a deductible reduce the limit?

The answer to the question what's the difference between a deductible and a self insured retention is that deductibles reduce the amount of insurance available whereas a self insured retention is applied and the limit of insurance is fully available above that amount.

What is the difference between a premium and a deductible?

Monthly premium x 12 months: The amount you pay to your plan each month to have health insurance. Deductibles: How much you'll spend for certain covered health services and prescription drugs before your plan pays anything, except free preventive services.

Is a lower deductible better or higher?

A lower deductible plan is a great choice if you have unique medical concerns or chronic conditions that need frequent treatment. While this plan has a higher monthly premium, if you go to the doctor often or you're at risk of a possible medical emergency, you have a more affordable deductible.

Is 500 deductible cheaper than 1000?

Since a lower deductible equates to more coverage, you'll have to pay more in your monthly premiums to balance out this increased coverage. A survey commissioned by InsuraQuotes found that an increase in deductible from $500 to $1,000 had an average of 8-10% reduction in premium costs.

Can I negotiate deductible?

Negotiate a Payment Plan

Your healthcare provider can't waive or discount your deductible because that would violate the rules of your health plan. But they may be willing to allow you to pay the deductible you owe over time.

Is it better to have a deductible or not?

It depends on your health needs and your budget. If you and your covered family members are in good health and don't often see a doctor, a high-deductible plan may be a better option. But if you think you or your family members may need to seek medical care often, a low-deductible plan may be the best fit.

Why is it not a great idea to have a high deductible?

Large medical expenses: Since HDHPs generally only cover preventive care, an accident or emergency could result in very high out-of-pocket costs. Future health risks: Because of the costs, you may refrain from visiting a physician, getting treatments, or purchasing prescriptions when they're not covered by your HDHP.

What happens if cost is less than deductible?

What if my car repair costs less than my deductible? There may be times when your car insurance deductible is more than the cost of the damage to your vehicle. Unfortunately, in these cases, you'll need to pay for all repairs out-of-pocket. This is because insurance only pays for damages that are above your deductible.

Does lowering your deductible increase your premium?

Keep in mind that the deductible amount will come out of the policyholder's pocket in the event of an at-fault car accident, which could overshadow the premium savings. Conversely, a low deductible will increase the premium payments.

Why should you never make a claim that is lower than your deductible?

Clearly, if the amount of your loss is less than your deductible there's no point to submitting your claim. You're going to pay it all anyway, so why report it? For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and your suffer $800 in damages, then your insurance company isn't going to pay anything.

Is high deductible insurance cheaper?

A plan with a higher deductible than a traditional insurance plan. The monthly premium is usually lower, but you pay more health care costs yourself before the insurance company starts to pay its share (also called your deductible).