Will your premium be lower if your deductible is higher?

Asked by: Miss Ima Bailey  |  Last update: November 13, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (62 votes)

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 much will my premium go down if I increase my deductible?

By and large, increasing the dollar deductible from $200 to $500 could potentially reduce collision and comprehensive coverage premium costs by 15% to 30%, whereas increasing the deductible to $1,000 may save 40% or more.

Do high deductible plans have lower premiums?

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).

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.

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.

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What is the downside of a high deductible?

Cons. Higher deductible: If your deductible is higher, it means you are required to pay for your medical care out of pocket up to that amount before your health plan begins to help pay for covered costs. The exception is for preventive care, which is covered at 100% under most health plans when you stay in-network.

How high is too high 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.

Does a higher deductible mean a lower payment?

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.

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.

What is considered high deductible?

True to its name, the deductible is higher. Plans will vary, but generally a minimum of $1,650 for individuals and $3,300 for families1. Will vary by plan and by employer, but generally are lower. Out-of-pocket limits are higher in an HDHP.

Does lowering your deductible lower your premium?

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

Is it better to have HDHP or PPO?

HDHPs can be a good form of insurance for the young and healthy — especially if your employer offers you HSA contributions. But for anyone with significant medical expenses, an upcoming surgery, or a serious health condition, a PPO could be a better fit because of the lower deductible.

What is the 12 month rule for HSA?

It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.

Why would someone want a high deductible but a lower premium?

The size of your monthly premium impacts your deductible—typically, the lower the premium, the higher the deductible. Why does having a higher deductible lower your insurance premiums? Because you'd be taking on more costs if you actually need care, rather than paying more each month toward potential care.

How to lower car premium?

7 ways to lower your car insurance premium
  1. Bundling your car and property insurance.
  2. Quoting online. ...
  3. Paying up front **Read the associated disclosure for this claim. instead of monthly.
  4. Setting up autopay. ...
  5. Signing your policy online. ...
  6. Going paperless. ...
  7. Driving safely with the Snapshot® program.

What happens to your insurance premium if you have a high deductible?

Savings tip: HDHPs have lower premiums. That means you pay less every month for your plan. Plus, you're covered for many preventive services and screenings at no cost without having to meet your deductible.

What is a good deductible for car insurance?

$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.

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.

Can insurance waive my deductible?

In most situations, for coverages with a deductible, a deductible will apply - but there are some circumstances in which the deductible may be waived. For example, if you have comprehensive coverage and make a claim to repair windshield glass damage, then your deductible may be waived.

What is the disadvantage of having a higher deductible?

You may not have the financial ability to pay for a larger loss out of your pocket. Sometimes claims take a while to settle, so you may be forced to fund more than just the deductible on a temporary basis if your claim requires immediate repairs.

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 ...

Why do I have to pay deductible when not at fault?

Insurance companies collect deductibles every time they settle a claim, so they don't care who was at fault. You would not be at fault if your car was stolen from a secure facility, but you would still pay a deductible if you filed an insurance claim.

Does a higher deductible lower car insurance premiums?

Pros. A high deductible generally means lower insurance premiums. Depending on your budget, this could make the difference between purchasing essential insurance or going without. If you don't plan to file claims for minor losses, a higher deductible might make sense.

Is $3000 a high deductible?

The IRS defines high-deductible health plans for 2023 as: Individual plans with deductibles of at least $1,500. Family plans with deductibles of at least $3,000.

What is the relationship between premiums and deductibles?

You may be able to save money on premiums by choosing higher deductibles. In general, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. For example, if you choose a $1,000 deductible on your auto policy, you will likely pay less in auto insurance premiums than you would for a policy with a $250 deductible.