Is it good to increase your deductible?

Asked by: Nia Tromp Sr.  |  Last update: November 5, 2025
Score: 5/5 (34 votes)

When you're choosing a deductible, keep in mind that you may be more or less comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs vs monthly costs. A high deductible will lower your overall insurance rate, however it will increase your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.

What happens when you raise 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.

Is it better to have a higher 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.

How much will I save if I increase my deductible?

Raising your deductible is a good way to reduce your premiums, and it makes you less likely to file small claims that could result in a rate hike. So if your deductible is $500 now, increasing it to $1,000 can lower your premiums by up to 25%, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

What is the risk involved with increasing the deductible?

Most of the time, increasing your insurance deductible will save you money on your policy. This depends on your circumstances and specific policy details. Keep in mind that if you increase your deductible, you will be responsible for paying it if there is a claim. You may spend more money when the claim rolls around.

How does a health insurance Deductible work?

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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.

Why are deductibles increasing?

The shift to higher deductibles comes as home insurance costs have been spiking. The average annual home insurance rate increased more than 20% from 2021 to 2023, according to Insurify, an online marketplace. The average insurance premium is expected to rise another 6% this year to about $2,500.

What is too high of a deductible?

In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

Can I change my deductible?

You can change your deductible at any time. Typically, changes to your car insurance policy will take effect the next policy period.

Is high deductible cheaper?

Lower monthly premiums: Most high-deductible health plans come with lower monthly premiums. If you anticipate only needing preventive care, which is covered at 100% under most plans when you stay in-network, then the lower premiums that often come with an HDHP may help you save money in the long run.

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 when you have a high deductible?

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).

Does a higher deductible lower the insurance?

The higher a deductible, the lower the annual, biannual or monthly insurance premiums may be because the consumer is assuming a portion of the total cost of a claim.

Why is it better to have a higher deductible?

High-deductible health plans usually carry lower premiums but require more out-of-pocket spending before insurance starts paying for care. Meanwhile, health insurance plans with lower deductibles offer more predictable costs and often more generous coverage, but they usually come with higher premiums.

What happens if I lower my deductible?

If you choose a low deductible amount, then you'll likely be paying a higher insurance premium for the coverage. On the other hand, if you choose a high deductible amount, then you'll likely pay a lower insurance premium. You should compare and calculate how your deductible impacts your overall policy premium.

Do I pay more than my 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%.

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.

How much can you save by increasing your deductible?

On average, raising your deductible will save $408 a year. A higher home insurance deductible means lower insurance premiums, and vice-versa, but you should be able to afford your deductible in the event of a claim.

Are deductibles refundable?

Yes, if you have to pay your deductible and you were not at fault, you may be able to get it back from the at-fault driver's insurance company. This is called subrogation. Your insurance company will pursue the at-fault driver's insurance company to recover the money paid for the damages, including your deductible.

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.

What is the main disadvantage of choosing a high deductible?

The primary disadvantages of a high-deductible health plan include the high out-of-pocket costs and the potential reluctance to seek medical care due to upfront expenses. While HDHPs have lower premiums, individuals may face financial strain if they need medical services before meeting the deductible.

What if I can't pay my deductible?

Auto insurance companies typically require policyholders to pay the deductible before processing the claim and covering any expenses. Failure to pay the deductible can lead to a denied claim, leaving you responsible for covering the entire cost of repairs, medical expenses, or other damages resulting from the incident.

Can I increase my deductible?

Many health insurance companies allow you to keep the same health plan and increase or decrease your deductible based on your needs. Changing your deductible can increase or decrease your monthly premium.

Why is a high deductible bad?

The main drawback of an HDHP is high out-of-pocket expenses for nonpreventive care. If you're healthy but go to urgent care a few times, you can pay a lot out of pocket but not exceed your yearly deductible. Or you could require unexpected expensive treatment early in the year.

What is the most expensive health insurance?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.