What does a $0 deductible do to your insurance rate?

Asked by: Conrad Predovic  |  Last update: July 22, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (64 votes)

Your car insurance company pays for the full cost of your medical bills and auto repairs if you have a zero-deductible plan. While you will pay a high premium for this type of coverage, you avoid the possibility of an unexpected cost if you do have an accident.

Is a $0 deductible good for insurance?

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.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1 000?

Depends. You should set your deductible to the highest amount you could comfortably afford to pay out of pocket in the case of an accident. So if you can come up with $1000 easily enough, then you can raise your deductible from 500 to $1000 to save some money.

Is 0% after deductible good?

It's great to have 0% coinsurance. This means that your insurance company will pay for the entire cost of the visit or session. But often, you first have to meet your deductible in order for the coinsurance to kick in.

How is insurance rate affected by 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.

How does a health insurance Deductible work?

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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.

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.

What is the downside of having a low deductible?

The trade-off with a low-deductible plan is that you pay a higher monthly premium. An obvious downside to a low deductible plan is that if you don't end up needing more extensive medical care, you'll have paid a higher monthly premium for nothing.

What does $0.00 copay mean?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when you see an in-network provider for a number of preventive care services, those visits come with a $0 copay. In other words, you will pay nothing to see your doctor for your annual check-ups. This also means you won't pay for your yearly well-woman exam.

What is the quickest way to meet your deductible?

How to Meet Your Deductible
  1. Order a 90-day supply of your prescription medicine. Spend a bit of extra money now to meet your deductible and ensure you have enough medication to start the new year off right.
  2. See an out-of-network doctor. ...
  3. Pursue alternative treatment. ...
  4. Get your eyes examined.

What's a good car insurance deductible?

$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 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.

Do I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault?

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.

Is hmo or ppo better?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.

What does $0 deductible excess mean?

Excess/deductibles can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Zero Excess means that you won't be responsible for paying anything in the event the car is damaged or in an accident.

Do copays count towards deductible?

No. Copays and coinsurance don't count toward your deductible. Only the amount you pay for health care services (like the medical bill you receive) count toward your plan's deductible.

What is a $0.00 deductible?

A no-deductible health insurance plan has a $0 deductible. That means you can skip the part of the plan where you're paying the full cost of medical care yourself before reaching the plan's deductible amount. Instead, as soon as the plan begins, insurance will pay part of your bills for medical care and prescriptions.

Do I have to pay a deductible for a doctor visit?

For example, if you get services during an office visit from an in-network provider and your health plan's allowed amount for an office visit is $100, you'll pay $100 for that visit if you haven't met your deductible, and the visit is subject to the deductible.

Are prescriptions included in the deductible?

Prescriptions typically count toward the deductible as long as they are covered under your plan. Your copay for a prescription may count toward the deductible, depending on your plan. Your health insurance agent can help you determine what type of deductible you have and which prescriptions your plan might cover.

Is a $0 deductible good?

A no-deductible plan can be a good choice for your family if you want immediate coverage without needing to meet a deductible first, especially if multiple family members need regular care. However, these plans often have higher premiums, so consider your budget.

Is it better to have a high premium or deductible?

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 $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.

What is the best deductible for car insurance?

You pay a deductible each time you file a claim with your auto insurance coverage. Most drivers choose a $500 auto insurance deductible, but policies with higher deductibles cost less. Choosing a plan with a higher deductible to get a lower insurance rate means higher out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim.

How to get a lower car insurance rate?

If you're wondering how to get a lower car insurance rate, use these methods for lowering your premium:
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

Which of the following may reduce your insurance premium?

Check your deductibles

If your budget allows, consider paying higher out-of-pocket costs instead of carrying lower deductibles with higher premiums on your home and auto. Insurance companies may reduce the premiums if you're willing to assume more risk.