Title: HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON THE RIGHT DEDUCTIBLE FOR YOUR INSURANCE?
potholes and random debris on highways do cross my mind sometimes. Guess it's about weighing the odds and your comfort zone with risk.
That’s exactly it—risk tolerance is such a personal thing. I’ve been running a higher deductible for a while now, too, mostly because I’m on the road so much, and the premium savings add up over time. But I’ll admit, every time I’m cruising through a construction zone or hit some surprise chunk of metal on the interstate, I do that mental math: “Is this the day I regret not playing it safer?”
One trip last spring stands out. I was heading through West Texas, middle of nowhere, and hit what looked like just a small pothole. Ended up bending a rim and shredding a tire. The repair bill wasn’t quite enough to hit my deductible, so insurance didn’t even come into play. That kind of made me realize—unless it’s something major, most of these little incidents don’t actually get close to what you’d pay out of pocket anyway.
But yeah, there’s always that nagging “what if?” in the back of my mind when I see debris flying off a truck or swerve to miss something in the road. For me, it comes down to what I can realistically afford if something big does happen—if paying that higher deductible would be a real stretch, then maybe it’s time to rethink. Otherwise, I just try to drive defensively and hope for the best.
I do think location matters, too. Some areas are just rougher on cars—if you’re somewhere with constant potholes or wildlife crossings, maybe peace of mind is worth more than those premium savings. But for now, I’m sticking with the higher deductible... even if it means crossing my fingers when I see orange cones ahead.
I hear you on the “what if?” factor—been there more times than I’d like to admit. Honestly, I’ve seen folks save a ton with higher deductibles, but I’ve also watched some really sweat it when a big claim rolls in. The thing is, those little dings and tire blowouts rarely hit the deductible anyway, like you said. But then there’s that one deer out of nowhere or a hailstorm that totals your car... suddenly the math changes fast. I always tell people: if paying the deductible would wreck your budget, maybe don’t go too high. Otherwise, yeah, just hope your luck holds when you see those orange cones...
if paying the deductible would wreck your budget, maybe don’t go too high.
That’s really the key. I’ve seen people pick a $1,000 deductible to save $10 a month, but then a fender bender wipes out their emergency fund. It’s all about what you can actually afford if something goes sideways. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth a slightly higher premium.
- For me, I just look at my bank account and ask: “If I had to pay this tomorrow, would I have to dip into savings or go into debt?”
- If the answer’s yes, I go with a lower deductible, even if it means paying a little more each month.
- I’ve tried the higher deductible route before—saved maybe $120 a year, but one cracked windshield later and it wiped out all those savings in one go.
- Honestly, peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks to me. Not everyone agrees, but that’s just how I roll.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I once tried to “save” with a higher deductible on my ‘72 Chevelle—figured I’d pocket the difference for car parts. Then a rogue shopping cart took out my door and, poof, there went my “savings.” Now I just ask myself: would fixing this hurt more than skipping a few takeout meals? If yes, lower deductible it is. Sometimes peace of mind’s worth more than an extra chrome trim anyway...
