What is the comprehensive deductible in car insurance?

Asked by: Germaine Zemlak  |  Last update: May 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (25 votes)

A comprehensive deductible is the amount you've agreed to pay before the insurance company starts paying for damages.

What is a good deductible for comprehensive car insurance?

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.

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.

What is a good amount of comprehensive coverage?

Typical coverage amounts: Insurance experts recommend at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $100,000 for property damage.

Will my car insurance go up if I make a comprehensive claim?

Comprehensive claims are ``not at fault'' claims. They do not cause your premium to increase.

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Is it better to file a comprehensive or collision claim?

If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.

Why is my comprehensive deductible so high?

A higher deductible typically means a lower insurance rate, but you'll pay more out of pocket for repairs. If you know you can afford to pay for a larger portion of repair costs yourself and you never or rarely file claims, then a higher comprehensive deductible may work best for you.

When should you drop comprehensive coverage on your car?

The ten rule is this: Once the value of your vehicle is less than ten times what its insurance premiums are, it's more economical to drop comprehensive and collision coverage than to pay for them.

What does a $1000 deductible mean for comprehensive insurance?

Generally, a deductible is the amount you're responsible to pay when a covered loss occurs. For example, say you have a $1,000 deductible but have $2,000 in covered damages. You're responsible for the first $1,000 of damages and your insurance company is responsible for the other $1,000 of covered damages.

What does comprehensive insurance not cover?

Comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by hitting another vehicle or object. These incidents are covered under collision coverage. It will also not cover normal wear and tear on your vehicle.

Do you have to pay deductible if not your fault?

If your coverage includes a Direct Compensation and Property Damage (DCPD) deductible, you must still pay the DCPD deductible even if you are not at fault.

Is a credit score check required to get auto insurance?

Most insurers use credit checks to create a credit-based insurance score to help set your rate. Some insurers provide auto insurance with no credit check, which might seem appealing if you have a poor credit history.

Will raising my deductible lower my car insurance?

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.

How do I avoid paying my comprehensive deductible?

You can avoid paying your car insurance deductible for vehicle repairs by not filing a claim at all or by getting the mechanic to waive the deductible, which is possible but highly unlikely. In some cases, your insurer may also waive your comprehensive deductible for glass damage specifically.

What deductible is good for collision?

Common deductibles generally range from $250 to $1,000, however, the value of your car is an important factor to keep in mind when determining your deductible amount. Collision coverage has a limit, which is the maximum amount your policy will pay toward a covered claim.

Can I add comprehensive coverage after an accident?

Can I add comprehensive coverage (glass) to my car insurance and then file a claim for windshield repair? Only if you want to risk being arrested for fraud. It is ILLEGAL to purchase insurance AFTER you have had the loss, and then try to foist it off on the insurance company.

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.

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

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.

Do I pay my deductible before or after my car is fixed?

Policyholders will generally pay the deductible before comprehensive coverage kicks in. Liability insurance. Liability coverage, which is required in California, doesn't involve deductibles but covers damages the policyholder causes to other vehicles, drivers, or property. Uninsured motorist coverage.

How much does insurance go up after a comprehensive claim?

Using a methodology outlined here, we found a comprehensive claim raises auto insurance rates by $36 over the course of a standard six-month policy, on average.

Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?

The main difference between comprehensive and collision insurance is the situations covered. Collision insurance pays for damage to your car if you hit an object or another vehicle, while comprehensive coverage pays for theft or damage from causes such as bad weather, fire or fallen trees.

How long should you keep full coverage on your car?

If you have financed your vehicle and your lender requires full coverage, you must keep it on your vehicle until you have paid off your loan (or until you buy out your lease, if you decide to). Once you own your vehicle outright, you have the option to remove both comprehensive and collision.

Is it better to have a high deductible or worse?

If you receive medical care frequently, opt for an LDHP to keep your out-of-pocket expenses affordable. Individuals who don't need healthcare often should go for an HDHP to save on their monthly premiums. But in the end, having an HDHP is better than going uninsured, even if you'd prefer an LDHP.

Do I pay my deductible to the Body Shop?

You typically pay your car insurance deductible after your car is fixed. Depending on your insurer and the situation, your insurer may pay the repair shop directly, minus your deductible — if that's the case, you'll need to pay the repair shop your deductible.

What is covered under comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage both insure your car, but they cover different events. Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by events considered to be outside of your control, like theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, glass breakage, fire, and weather-related incidents (e.g., hail).