- I'm still figuring this out myself, first time buying insurance and all, but your point about frequency of claims makes sense.
- My older brother always went for the lowest deductible, thinking he'd save big if something happened. But honestly, he's been driving 6 years now and never filed a single claim. Feels like he threw money away on higher premiums.
- On the flip side, my friend had a minor fender bender last year and regretted choosing a high deductible because he had to pay most of the repair out-of-pocket anyway.
- Seems like it's a gamble either way... maybe it depends more on your personal risk tolerance and driving habits than anything else?
- I'm leaning toward a higher deductible myself, just to keep monthly costs down. But still skeptical if that's the right call for someone new to insurance like me. Guess I'll find out eventually...
Higher deductibles can definitely save you some cash month-to-month, but just be sure you're comfortable covering that amount if something does happen. I've seen plenty of folks caught off guard when they realize how much repairs actually cost—even for minor stuff. Honestly, it's all about balancing your monthly budget with what you could realistically afford out-of-pocket. No crystal ball here, unfortunately...just gotta weigh the odds and hope your luck holds!
Totally agree that higher deductibles can be tempting—I've gone that route myself a few times to keep monthly bills down. But honestly, after one bad pothole incident and a cracked windshield within the same year, I started rethinking things. Sure, minor repairs don't seem like a big deal until you realize even small stuff can run you several hundred bucks easy. Now I tend to pick a deductible that's not the absolute lowest (because premiums get ridiculous), but still something I know won't completely wreck my budget if I have to pay it.
Makes me wonder though...do most people actually set aside money specifically for their deductible, or do they just wing it and hope nothing happens? I've tried keeping a little emergency stash for car expenses, but life always seems to find other uses for it, lol. Curious how others handle that side of things.
I've been there too—went with a higher deductible to save a bit each month. Then my daughter backed into a mailbox (don't ask...) and suddenly that "small" deductible felt pretty steep. Now I stick to something mid-range, manageable if needed. I try to keep a small emergency fund, but honestly, unexpected expenses always pop up. Mostly just cross my fingers and drive carefully these days.
"Mostly just cross my fingers and drive carefully these days."
Haha, same here... I'm still on my learner's permit, and after seeing my older brother scrape the garage door (twice!), I'm leaning toward a lower deductible. Peace of mind beats saving a few bucks each month, IMO.
