Car Insurance Collision Deductible (2024)

When you buy an auto insurance policy, you can add an optional collision coverage that can cover damage to your car. The collision deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your vehicle, while your insurance company covers the rest of the covered costs.

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How collision deductibles work

Your collision deductible applies once your insurance company has approved your claim and issued a payout. The deductible is typically subtracted from the claim payout since it represents the amount you'll pay to repair or replace your vehicle. For example, imagine you hit a telephone pole and need $1,200 in repairs. If your deductible is $200, your insurance company will issue a payment to you or your chosen repair shop for $1,000, rather than $1,200.

Pro tip:

There are other car insurance coverages that include a car insurance deductible, including comprehensive and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (depending on the state). Some insurers also offer disappearing deductible programs that reduce your collision and comprehensive deductible over time if you don't have any claims or moving violations

How much should your collision deductible be?

Collision deductibles vary widely — from as little as $100 to as much as $2,000. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for how much is the right amount. It depends on your financial situation, driving habits, and what kind of car owner you are. To start, you should consider how much you could afford to pay out of pocket if you get in a car accident, and how your car insurance rate may change.

Lower deductible

A lower deductible means a higher car insurance rate. If you're OK with paying more on car insurance but concerned about large, unexpected repair bills, a lower deductible might be right for you.

Higher deductible

A higher deductible means a higher out-of-pocket cost when you file a collision claim, but you also get a lower car insurance rate. If you'd like to save money now and you're confident you could afford a larger, one-time expense if you have an accident, a higher deductible might be a better fit.

What else should I consider when choosing my collision deductible?

How much your car is worth

As your car depreciates, having a high collision deductible may make less sense. Your vehicle's actual cash value is typically the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for a collision claim. So if your car is only worth a bit more than your deductible, your potential claim payout is significantly lower.

Example:If you have a car valued at $2,000 and a $1,500 deductible, the most your collision coverage can pay out is $500 — the value of your vehicle minus your deductible. On a car worth $10,000 with the same deductible, you might get as much as $8,500.

How much coverage you want

With a lower deductible, your collision coverage may be more likely to cover lower-cost repairs, such as cosmetic damage like dings or dents. With a higher deductible, your insurance typically covers more expensive repairs that affect your vehicle's performance or safety. If you're not worried about paying for minor repairs yourself, then a higher deductible might be the right choice for you.

How much risk you're comfortable with

If you're a confident driver with a long record of accident-free driving, you may opt for a higher collision deductible. You have protection against larger repair bills, but your car insurance rate will be slightly lower.

On the other hand, if you're a newer driver or if you've had accidents in the past, then a lower collision deductible may make sense so you can lower your out-of-pocket repair costs. Your rate will be higher, but if you anticipate filing a claim, it may be worth the peace of mind knowing you may not have to pay as much for repairs.

More about insurance deductibles

If you're still unsure about the right amount for your collision deductible, learn more about insurance deductibles or try our car insurance calculator to estimate the right collision deductible for you.

Car Insurance Collision Deductible (1)

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Car Insurance Collision Deductible (2024)

FAQs

What should I put for collision deductible? ›

Before you choose a deductible, most insurance professionals recommend you figure out what you can afford to pay if your car is damaged in an accident. If your budget allows for a maximum out-of-pocket expense of $500, you probably should not choose a deductible higher than $500.

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

If you're more likely to get into an accident, you won't want to pay out a higher deductible. However, if you're generally a safer driver, your car insurance premiums will be lower with a $1,000 deductible.

Do I pay deductible if accident wasn't my fault? ›

Do I Have to Pay a Deductible If I Was Not at Fault for an Accident in California? If another driver caused your recent accident and you file a claim against their auto insurance policy, you do not have to pay a deductible because you were not at fault.

What does a $1000 deductible mean for collision 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 $2000 collision deductible mean? ›

A car insurance deductible is how much money you'll pay out of pocket for damages to your vehicle before your insurance kicks in. You'll pick this deductible amount when buying your insurance. In general, car insurance policies offer a choice of deductibles, like $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000.

Should comprehensive deductible be lower than collision? ›

Deductibles. Typically, collision and comprehensive coverages have separate deductibles, and you can choose different amounts for each deductible. Comprehensive coverage deductibles are typically offered in lower amounts than for collision coverage. When it's claim time, you pay separate deductibles for each incident.

What deductible is too high? ›

The benefits of a high-deductible versus a low-deductible medical plan. In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

What is the disadvantage of having a higher deductible? ›

The main drawback to choosing an HDHP is having potentially high out-of-pocket expenses when you receive covered services during the year.

Is comprehensive full coverage worth it? ›

If you want to have peace of mind on the road, comprehensive coverage can be worth it as it will help to repair or replace your vehicle when damage is sustained from events other than an auto accident.

Do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me in Geico? ›

Unlike some coverages, you don't select a limit for collision. The most it will pay is based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. You will be responsible for paying your selected deductible.

How does insurance work when it's not your fault? ›

If you file a claim with your carrier when you are not at fault, your carrier will eventually begin a process called subrogation. Essentially, this means that once liability is determined, your insurance carrier will send a demand to the at-fault party's carrier to pay back the damages that were paid out to you.

Do you pay deductible before or after a car is fixed? ›

You generally pay your deductible to a car repair shop after it fixes your vehicle. Once you file an insurance claim for damage to your car, an insurance adjuster usually reviews your claim and determines how much your insurer will pay for repairs based on your policy limits and deductible.

What is a good amount for collision deductible? ›

Your deductible should be an amount you can comfortably cover in case you need to file a claim. Car insurance deductibles usually range from $100 to $2,000, with a $500 deductible being the most common.

What is collision deductible buyback? ›

Collision Deductible Buyback - This coverage pays to cover the collision deductible if your vehicle is damaged by an at-fault uninsured/underinsured driver. If you have UMPD (uninsured motorist property damage) coverage, you may already have this protection.

Is 1000 comprehensive deductible good? ›

A $1,000 deductible is better than a $500 deductible if you can afford the increased out-of-pocket cost in the event of an accident, because a higher deductible means you'll pay lower premiums. Choosing an insurance deductible depends on the size of your emergency fund and how much you can afford for monthly premiums.

Is 250 collision deductible good? ›

A $250 deductible is good for car insurance if you want to avoid paying a lot out of pocket in the event of a claim. The most common deductible amounts are $500 and $1,000, but a lower deductible can be a safe choice despite resulting in more expensive premiums.

How should you determine what your deductible is going to be? ›

A deductible can be either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the total amount of insurance on a policy. The amount is established by the terms of your coverage and can be found on the declarations (or front) page of standard homeowners, condo owners, renters, and auto insurance policies.

What is the $500 deductible for collision insurance? ›

After you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Example:You have a $500 deductible and $3,000 in damage from a covered accident. Your insurer will pay $2,500 to repair your car, and you'll be responsible for the remaining $500.

What does $500 deductible mean in health insurance? ›

Put simply, a deductible is the amount of money that you have to pay on your own behalf before your plan will kick in and start to cover eligible medical costs. The main benefit of a deductible is that you will save money on your premium. So the larger the deductible, the greater the discount on your premium.

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