What does $500 most likely refer to in this insurance policy?

Asked by: Mr. Charlie Schmidt Jr.  |  Last update: October 22, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (2 votes)

$500 is the most common car insurance deductible. Not every type of car insurance coverage uses a deductible. A higher car deductible can lower your insurance premium. You pick your deductible when buying insurance.

What does a $500 deductible insurance policy mean?

Here's an example: You chose a $500 deductible when you purchased your auto policy. This means that you have agreed to absorb the first $500 in expenses as a result of each loss occurrence you suffer. Let's look at two scenarios. Please keep in mind these scenarios are based on general information.

What does it mean if your insurance policy has an access of 500?

Essentially, the excess represents the amount you are responsible for before your insurance kicks in to cover the remaining costs. For example, if your van insurance policy has an excess of £500, it means that in the event of a claim, you will need to pay the first £500 of the costs yourself.

Why did my car insurance go up $500?

But why the sudden spike? The answer lies in several factors: rising car prices leading to more expensive replacements and repairs, alongside increasing medical expenses. As a lagging indicator of inflation, premiums adjust to reflect these growing costs.

What does Patrice's property insurance policy has a $500 deductible mean?

Explanation: The deductible represents the amount the policyholder is responsible for before the insurance coverage kicks in. In this case, Patrice would need to cover the first $500 of any covered loss, and the insurance company would then step in to cover the remaining costs, up to the policy limit.

How Much Car Insurance Do I Actually Need?

33 related questions found

What does property deductible cover?

A homeowners insurance deductible is a fixed amount of money you pay out of pocket for damages to your home before your insurance pays the rest. The higher your deductible, the less you pay on your insurance premium. When determining your deductible, consider what a high, unexpected cost could do to your finances.

What is $100 deductible insurance?

If your deductible is $100 and you cause $350 of vehicle damage by backing into a tree, you would only have to pay your $100 deductible, while your insurance would pay the other $250. However, you could spend more on your premium by having a lower deductible and never end up filing a claim.

Why is my insurance going up with no accidents?

Car insurance rates can sometimes increase unexpectedly, even without being involved in an accident. This can be due to different factors, such as changes in the insurance company's rates, adjustments to your policy, or even external factors like inflation or rising repair costs.

Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

What is a good 6 month premium car insurance?

The average 6-month car insurance premium is $947 per year, but some insurers offer lower rates; Nationwide offers 6-month car insurance at $774.

Do I pay excess if I am not at fault?

You pay the excess in the event of any claim made on your insurance policy regardless of who is to blame. However, if it's proved the accident was the other person's fault and the full cost is recovered from their insurer, you may be able to recover this amount.

How does insurance determine the allowed amount?

(Note: insurers determine allowed amounts based on what they deem the going rate for the service to be. They call these “usual, customary, and reasonable fees.”)

How many insurance claims is too many?

If you've filed two or more claims within a three-year period, that counts as multiple claims — no matter if they were filed two weeks or two years apart. Multiple claims usually raise your rates, and too many in a short time might even put you at risk of cancellation or non-renewal.

What does $500 deductible with full glass mean?

For instance, if you're considering full glass coverage with a $500 deductible and an additional cost of $5-$10 per month on your premiums, it means that before your insurer covers any repair or replacements due to glass damages on your vehicle's windshield, sunroof, or even side windows during an accident or other ...

Can the color of your car affect your insurance premium?

Does car color affect insurance rates? The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates.

What does 500 per occurrence mean?

A per occurrence deductible is like most auto or homeowners insurance you might be familiar with; you pay the $500, and that's the max you'll pay when something happens. But if your deductible is per claim, that means a separate deductible gets applied to every claim filed in a single occurrence.

Who is cheaper, GEICO or Progressive?

GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.

Who is the #1 insurance company in the USA?

State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the U.S. based on written premium, or the total amount it bills customers. Progressive is the second-largest car insurance company, followed by Geico and Allstate.

What is the cheapest car insurance for seniors over 60?

Nationwide — the most affordable company for seniors

At $77 a month, Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers in their 60s and can cover all of your bases when it comes to coverage.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

Why did my car insurance go up 40 dollars?

While it can seem arbitrary, there are actual reasons you can see your price go up and down. Car insurance rates can change based on factors like claims, driving history, adding new drivers to your policy, and even your credit score.

Why won't my insurance cover my accident?

If an accident happens when your policy is not active, the insurance won't cover it. Disputes Over Fault: Sometimes, it's unclear who caused the accident. If there's a dispute about who is at fault, the insurance company might deny the claim until it's resolved.

Is a $500 deductible high?

A higher deductible means a reduced cost in your insurance premium. For example, say your policy has a line of $5,000 in coverage. A low deductible of $500 means your insurance company is covering you for $4,500. A higher deductible of $1,000 means your company would then be covering you for only $4,000.

What would happen if your car were stolen and you didn't have auto insurance?

Explanation: If your car is stolen and you do not have auto insurance, you would still have to pay off your car loan in full. Without insurance, the financial responsibility for the vehicle would fall entirely on you.

How might you reduce premium rates for vehicle insurance?

Some of the most impactful ways to lower your car insurance include qualifying for multiple discounts, avoiding accidents, and changing your coverage. Comparing rates, trying usage-based insurance, and knowing how your vehicle might affect your rate can also help.