"But if you're accident-prone (like me) or just unlucky, it's probably smarter to pay a bit more each month..."
Haha, totally feel you on that—one pothole last year set me back nearly $700. Makes me wonder, is anyone actually "careful" enough for high deductibles to pay off long-term...?
Honestly, I'm starting to think "careful driver" is just a myth insurance companies invented to make us feel guilty, lol. I mean, I try my best—hands at ten and two, mirrors checked, playlist queued up BEFORE leaving the driveway—but life still finds a way to throw curveballs. Last month, I swerved to miss someone's runaway recycling bin and clipped the curb instead... goodbye tire alignment, hello surprise bill. 😅
So yeah, even if you're super cautious, random stuff happens. Maybe high deductibles work for some people who have insanely good luck or live in pothole-free paradise towns (wherever those are), but for most of us mere mortals...? Seems like paying a little extra monthly might actually be cheaper in the long run. Or am I just rationalizing my own clumsiness here? 😂
"Seems like paying a little extra monthly might actually be cheaper in the long run."
I get your point, but have you considered setting aside the difference you'd pay monthly into a small emergency fund instead? Might save you more overall... especially for those random curb-hopping moments, haha.
Good point about the emergency fund, but honestly, most people I've worked with aren't disciplined enough to actually set that money aside consistently. If you're the type who can stash away the difference each month without dipping into it for pizza night or impulse Amazon buys, then yeah, your strategy makes sense. But realistically, a slightly higher premium with a lower deductible often saves folks from scrambling when life throws those unexpected curveballs...or curbs, lol.
You're spot on about discipline being a real hurdle—seen it plenty of times. Sure, in theory, setting aside cash for a high deductible sounds great, but I've dealt with enough claims to know that life rarely follows our neat little plans. A fender bender here, a cracked windshield there...it adds up quickly. For most folks, paying a bit extra monthly to dodge that sudden financial hit is worth the peace of mind. Better safe than sorry, especially if you're prone to dipping into savings for pizza nights (guilty as charged...).
