Fair enough, classics do get pricey fast...but honestly, sometimes a higher deductible makes sense even for rare cars. If you're careful and rarely drive it, putting those savings aside yourself might cover minor stuff without insurance hassle. Just another angle to consider.
I went through something similar when I got my current car. It's not a classic or anything, just my daily commuter, but I still debated the deductible thing for ages. At first, I figured I'd go low to be safe, but after crunching numbers (yeah, I'm that person), it didn't really add up. I realized I'd been driving for years without any major incidents—knock on wood—and the savings from a higher deductible were pretty significant.
So I took the plunge and went higher. Sure enough, about six months later, someone dinged my door in a parking lot. Annoying? Definitely. But the repair was actually cheaper than my deductible anyway, so insurance wouldn't have helped much there. Instead, I just dipped into the money I'd set aside from those monthly savings and got it fixed without any hassle or premium hikes.
Obviously, everyone's situation is different...but sometimes running your own numbers can surprise you.
"I realized I'd been driving for years without any major incidents—knock on wood—and the savings from a higher deductible were pretty significant."
That's a fair point, and I totally get the logic behind it. But personally, I've always leaned toward keeping my deductible on the lower side. Maybe it's just me being overly cautious, but I had a close friend who went through something similar and ended up regretting the higher deductible choice.
She was a careful driver too—no accidents for years—but then one winter morning she hit some black ice and slid into a curb. It wasn't even a major accident, but the damage to her suspension and alignment added up fast. Suddenly, she was stuck paying out-of-pocket way more than she'd saved by having that higher deductible. It was stressful for her, especially since it happened right after the holidays when money was already tight.
I guess my thinking is that even if you're super careful (and it sounds like you are!), there are always those unpredictable things you can't control—weather, road conditions, other drivers...you name it. For me, paying a bit extra each month feels worth it just for peace of mind. But like you said, everyone's situation is different, and running your own numbers definitely helps clarify things.
Either way, glad your parking lot ding wasn't too bad! Those little annoyances can be surprisingly pricey sometimes.
"I realized I'd been driving for years without any major incidents—knock on wood—and the savings from a higher deductible were pretty significant."
Yeah, I see your point. Honestly, as someone still getting comfortable behind the wheel, I find it tricky to balance savings with peace of mind. Do you ever worry about those random situations like hitting a pothole or something? Anyway, glad you've had good luck so far—hope it stays that way!
I get the logic behind going higher deductible...been doing it myself for a few years now. But yeah, potholes and random debris on highways do cross my mind sometimes. Guess it's about weighing the odds and your comfort zone with risk.
