Understanding Car Insurance Deductibles: How They Affect Your Premiums
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Car insurance deductibles can be confusing for many drivers, but understanding how they work is essential for making informed decisions about your auto insurance coverage and costs. This deductibles guide will empower you to choose the right deductible for your financial situation, driving records, and risk tolerance while offering the latest information on monthly premiums and deductible car insurance.
What Is a Car Insurance Deductible and How Do They Work?
What is a deductible in car insurance? A car insurance deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance coverage kicks in following an accident or damage to your vehicle.
Definition and Purpose of Deductibles
Your insurance car deductible is the out-of-pocket funds you are responsible for when making an insurance claim before your insurance policy coverage kicks in. They can relieve the financial stress and expense you might otherwise face in the wake of an accident.
How Deductibles Are Applied in Claims
If you are in a car accident and the repairs are estimated to cost $5,000 and you have a $1,000 deductible, that means you would pay that first $1,000 out of pocket and your insurance company would cover the remaining $4,000. However, if the damage to your car was only $800, then you would be responsible for the full amount since that would be less than your deductible.
Effects of Deductibles on Premiums
How do deductibles work with car insurance? There is an inverse relationship between deductibles and car insurance premiums: The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be, and the lower the deductible, the higher your monthly premium.
Higher Deductibles and Their Advantages
The benefits of higher deductibles are worth noting:
- Higher deductibles generally mean lower monthly auto insurance premiums, which can leave more money in your bank account each month for other needs and for saving and investments.
- You will be less likely to make claims for minor incidents with a higher deductible, and more claims can drive up your insurance rates.
- If you don't ever get in an accident or make an insurance claim, you will save more money in the long run.
Lower Deductibles and Their Benefits
Lower deductibles also have some upsides:
- You will pay less in the event of an insurance claim, when you might be facing other big expenditures.
- Budgeting is also easier since a low deductible makes insurance costs more predictable.
You might also get faster claims processing with a low deductible, which can be a big bonus during a stressful time. If you lease your vehicle, you might be required to carry a certain deductible.
How Insurers Calculate Premiums Based on Your Deductible Choice
If you want to find a deeper dive into how car insurance works, it is helpful to see how insurers calculate premiums based on your insurance deductible choice. While higher deductibles will lead to lower insurance premiums and vice versa, insurers also bring risk into the equation. Your age, driving history, credit score, location, and other factors will also factor into your insurance premium. Experts predict that most drivers will save about 6% when they go from a $1,000 deductible to a $2,000 deductible.
The type of insurance you have is also important to consider.
- Liability insurance generally does not come with a deductible.
- Collision coverage, which will cover damage to your vehicle due to an accident, typically does require a deductible.
- Likewise, comprehensive coverage, which covers damage due to theft, vandalism, and weather incidents, also usually requires a deductible. Both a comprehensive deductible and a collision deductible will likely range from nothing to $2,000 and up.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage both usually entail a deductible ranging from $100 to $1,000 as well. This type of insurance is not required in every state, but it is in most.
- Personal injury protection insurance, which covers accident-related injuries no matter who was at fault, may include a deductible, depending on what state you live in.
Can You Adjust Your Deductible to Lower Your Premium?
Understanding car insurance is the first step in lowering your premiums. You can typically adjust your deductible to lower the monthly cost you pay for your auto insurance policy. EverQuote can also help you examine affordable insurance options with a free custom quote that gives you the ability to compare rates and options side by side. Check out EverQuote today to learn more about how you might be able to reduce your car insurance premiums.