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.
How to Choose Between a $500 and a $1,000 Deductible
1. Figure out how much you would save on your premium with a $1,000 deductible.
The goal is to determine if those savings are worth paying an extra $500 out of pocket after an accident. Car insurance companies typically use a $500 deductible to give quotes, which means you’ll need to make a point of checking how things change with a $1,000 deductible.
Remember that the premium savings will not always be proportional to the extra out-of-pocket costs after an accident.For example, Progressive reports that doubling your deductible from $500 to $1,000 may result in only a 28% decrease in premiums on average.
2. Consider how much you could afford to pay if an accident happened today.
Accidents can happen at any moment, so if you don’t have a lot of savings or expendable income, a lower deductible is usually a safer choice to avoid financial stress after an accident.
3. Determine your car’s actual cash value.
If you have an old car that’s only worth $2,500, for example, you probably don’t want to carry a $1,000 deductible. It’s too close to the total value of your vehicle, which means the replacement cost wouldn’t put much more stress on your finances than the deductible itself.
4. Make a decision based on your financial situation and preferences.
After evaluating your income, monthly expenses, savings, available credit and car value, it should be clear which is a better deal for you: saving monthly on premiums or saving in the event of an accident.
Although $500 and $1,000 are the most common deductibles, you may want to consider other deductible amounts, too. Some companies offer lower and higher options, such as $100, $250 or $2,500 deductibles.
No matter what you decide, be sure to set aside enough cash to cover your deductible before you need to make a claim. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to car insurance deductibles.
This answer was first published on 01/26/22 and it was last updated on 03/07/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
Is it better to have a $500 or $1,000 deductible? It's better to have a $500 deductible if you're a driver that has been in more than one accident or has gotten a DUI in the last three years. If you're more likely to get into an accident, you won't want to pay out a higher deductible.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000? ›
A low deductible of $500 means your insurance company is covering you for $4,500. A higher deductible of $1,000 means your company would then be covering you for only $4,000. Since a lower deductible equates to more coverage, you'll have to pay more in your monthly premiums to balance out this increased coverage.
Is a $1,000 dollar deductible bad? ›
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 it better to have low or high deductible car insurance? ›
If you're leasing or financing your car or living on a tight budget, a lower deductible can give you more peace of mind. If you have a clean driving record or live in a low-traffic city, getting a high deductible could save you more money in the long run.
What is a good deductible amount? ›
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.
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.
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.
Why is a lower deductible better? ›
With an HDHP, it can be challenging to predict how much you'll need to pay when you need care. That's why a high deductible plan works better for those who can handle taking on greater financial risk. A low deductible plan comes with lower financial risk, though you'll pay more each month for coverage.
Is $3000 a high deductible? ›
Is $3,000 a high deductible? Yes, $3,000 is a high deductible. According to the IRS, any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family is considered a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).
What is a good car insurance 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.
High-deductible health plans usually carry lower premiums but require more out-of-pocket spending before insurance starts paying for care. Meanwhile, health insurance plans with lower deductibles offer more predictable costs and often more generous coverage, but they usually come with higher premiums.
What is the downside to having a high deductible is car insurance? ›
A high deductible will lower your overall insurance rate, however it will increase your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
Do you pay deductible before or after a car is fixed? ›
If your car is being repaired, you would pay the repair company the deductible amount towards getting your car fixed. If your car is totaled, the deductible amount is deducted from the amount your insurer will pay for your car so you can replace it.
What's the difference between 500 and 1000 deductibles? ›
If you have a bill for $2,500 in eligible repairs and have a $500 deductible, the insurance company covers $2,000 of your costs. If you have a $1,000 deductible, the insurance company only pays $1,500. The deductible comes out of your pocket.
Is a 1000 deductible full coverage? ›
For example, if you have a health insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible and you receive a medical bill for $2,000, you would be responsible for paying the first $1,000 and your insurance would cover the remaining $1,000.
What happens if your car insurance policy includes a $500 deductible? ›
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.
Is a 500 deductible a lot? ›
However, let's say you want extra coverage for your car, so you sign up for comprehensive insurance. The average auto insurance deductible is $500, but you could also select amounts like $250, $1,000 or $2,000; this will also affect your policy's premium.
Does a higher deductible make insurance cheaper? ›
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.
Is 5000 deductible too high? ›
What is a normal home insurance deductible? Home insurance deductible options will vary among insurance companies. However, most home insurance policy deductibles tend to be from $100 to $5,000. The average home insurance deductible is $1,000.
