How to Lower Deductibles in Car Insurance (2024)

Lowering your deductible means you pay less in the event of a claim. Here’s everything you need to know about lowering your deductibles, and what it means for your car insurance as a whole.

What is a Deductible?

A deductible is the amount you need to pay before your car insurance will start paying for claims. It’s what you pay “out of pocket” before your car insurance pays. A deductible is not the same as your insurance premium, which is what you pay to maintain your policy. You may have to pay your deductible every time you file a claim.

How Does a Deductible Work?

Deductibles typically apply to your non-liability coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage are the most common types of insurance that are impacted by deductibles.

Insurance Coverage Impacted by Deductibles
Collision
Comprehensive
Personal Injury Protection/Medical Benefits
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists

Collision coverage pays for the cost to repair or replace your car after a collision with another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car not related to a collision. This includes things like:

  • Natural disasters and storms
  • Fires
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Damages caused by hitting an animal

Other types of car insurance impacted by deductibles may include personal injury protection, medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Car insurance deductibles must be paid every time you file a claim. A deductible is your share of the responsibility to pay for a claim. After you pay your deductible, your car insurance company will pay the remainder of the expenses. For example, if your car suffers $2,000 in damages and your deductible is $500, you will pay $500 and your insurance will pay the remaining $1,500 to repair your car.

Your insurance will not pay for anything until the deductible is met. If the cost of the damage is below your deductible, you will be responsible for paying for the entire cost. For example, if your car suffers $400 in damages and your deductible is $500, your insurance will not pay for any of the repairs.

If you damage someone else’s car, your property damage liability coverage will pay for their repairs. You don’t pay a deductible for this liability coverage. If your own car is damaged as well, your collision coverage will pay for repairs after you pay your deductible.

Benefits of Lowering your Car Insurance Deductible

Your insurance premium is related to your deductible. A low deductible means you pay less in the event of a claim, but your overall insurance premium will be a little higher. A higher deductible means you pay more in the event of a claim, but you pay less on your premium.

There are advantages to having a low deductible. While you pay more each renewal, you pay less out of pocket when you file a claim. With a higher deductible, you risk spending more money on claims.

Glass damage is one of the most common car insurance claims made, so many insurers offer separate windshield deductibles. Often, these glass deductibles will be lower than a comprehensive deductible.

At Plymouth Rock you can select a $0 windshield deductible, which means you won’t have to pay to replace a windshield in a covered loss. Plymouth Rock also offers a $100 Glass Deductible option, which applies a $100 deductible for glass only claims.

How to Change Your Deductible

To change your deductible, contact your agent or insurance company to request the change. Plymouth Rock customers can view and edit their policy at any time online or on the Plymouth Rock mobile app.

There isn’t one right answer to choosing a deductible— it depends on your own financial situation. Consider the value of your vehicle and how much you are comfortable paying in the event of an accident.

When Can You Change Your Deductible?

You can change your deductible at any time. Typically, changes to your car insurance policy will take effect the next policy period.

If you have questions about car insurance deductibles, give us a call. One of our insurance experts will be happy to guide you through your coverage options.

Now Let’s Talk About You
Do you have the right coverage for your vehicle? We’d love to chat with you about it. Call us at 855-993-4470 or speak to a local agent.

If you’d rather not talk, you can get a quote quickly and easily online. Just enter your ZIP code to get started and see how much you could save!

How to Lower Deductibles in Car Insurance (2024)

FAQs

How do I lower my deductible for car insurance? ›

Yes, you can lower your car insurance deductible at any time by contacting your car insurance company and telling them what you would like your new deductible to be. Lowering your deductible will make your out-of-pocket costs cheaper if you need to file a claim, but it will also result in higher premiums.

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.

Can you negotiate deductible? ›

With regard to healthcare deductibles, always ask if it's possible to negotiate a payment plan. The healthcare provider cannot legally waive the deductible but they can allow you to pay it over time. The challenge comes in when a procedure involves multiple providers, such as with surgery.

What if I can't pay my deductible car insurance? ›

If you cannot pay the full deductible up front after an accident, some repair shops may work with you on a payment plan. If you cannot pay the whole deductible, some shops may not start the repairs right away. Depending on your policy, your insurance company could also refuse to pay until you have paid your portion.

Can a deductible be lowered? ›

You may be able to adjust your plan's deductible . Many health insurance companies allow you to keep the same health plan and increase or decrease your deductible based on your needs.

How to lower insurance premium? ›

Here are some ways to save on car insurance1
  1. Increase your deductible.
  2. Check for discounts you qualify for.
  3. Compare auto insurance quotes.
  4. Maintain a good driving record.
  5. Participate in a safe driving program.
  6. Take a defensive driving course.
  7. Explore payment options.
  8. Improve your credit score.

Why is my car insurance deductible so high? ›

You may opt for a higher car insurance deductible because you're betting against having an accident, but if you've had accidents in the past and often drive on busier roads, you may be more likely to file a claim and pay a deductible.

What is a good comprehensive deductible for car insurance? ›

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 too high of a deductible? ›

A high-deductible plan is any plan that has a deductible of $1,600 or more PDF opens in new tab for individual coverage and $3,200 or more for family coverage in 2024. Compared to a traditional health insurance plan, a high-deductible health plan comes with a higher deductible and lower premium.

Can I make payments on my car insurance deductible? ›

Yes, you can make payments on your car insurance deductible since some repair shops offer payment plans. If you can't afford to pay your deductible, other financing options include using a specialty credit card, taking out a loan, or saving up before filing your claim.

What is a reasonable insurance deductible? ›

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.

How do you pay down your deductible? ›

You'll pay your deductible payment directly to the medical professional, clinic, or hospital. If you incur a $700 charge at the emergency room and a $300 charge at the dermatologist, you'll pay $700 directly to the hospital and $300 directly to the dermatologist. You don't pay your deductible to your insurance company.

What to do when you can't afford your deductible? ›

Can't Pay Your Health Insurance Deductible? What Now?
  1. Take Advantage of Open Enrollment.
  2. Planning Ahead With a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
  3. When You Can't Afford Your Deductible.
  4. Negotiate a Payment Plan.
  5. Caveats.
  6. Cheaper Options.
  7. Early Distribution.
  8. Sell Your Stuff.

Can insurance deductible be waived? ›

In most situations, for coverages with a deductible, a deductible will apply - but there are some circ*mstances 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 happens if I don't meet my insurance deductible? ›

What happens if you don't meet your deductible? If you do not meet the deductible in your plan, your insurance will not pay for your medical expenses—specifically those that are subject to the deductible—until this deductible is reached.

Why is my deductible so high for car insurance? ›

You may opt for a higher car insurance deductible because you're betting against having an accident, but if you've had accidents in the past and often drive on busier roads, you may be more likely to file a claim and pay a deductible.

What is a good car insurance deductible? ›

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.

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.

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