"Ended up paying almost the full deductible out of pocket."
Yeah, that's exactly why I've been hesitant to bump up my deductible. I commute daily, and honestly, the roads around here aren't exactly pothole-free. I've been trying to weigh the monthly savings against the risk of a sudden big expense. Curious—do you guys set aside a specific emergency fund to cover your deductible, or just factor it into general savings? Seems like a tricky balance to strike...
Completely agree with being cautious about raising deductibles, especially if your daily commute is rough. I've seen clients underestimate repair costs and regret it later. Personally, I recommend factoring deductible amounts directly into your emergency savings—keeps things straightforward and less stressful when something unexpected pops up.
Good points—especially about emergency savings. A few quick thoughts:
- Repair costs often surprise people; better safe than sorry.
- Deductibles should match your comfort level, not just your budget.
- Regularly reviewing your deductible as your situation changes is smart.
Totally agree about reviewing deductibles regularly—life changes fast, and what felt comfortable two years ago might not now. I've seen plenty of folks caught off guard by repair bills because they underestimated costs or overestimated their emergency fund. But here's something else to think about: do you guys factor in how often you realistically expect to file a claim? I mean, if you're someone who rarely files, maybe a higher deductible makes sense...or is that too risky? Curious how others approach this.
"do you guys factor in how often you realistically expect to file a claim?"
That's exactly how I approach it. I've been driving for over 15 years and only filed once (knock on wood...), so I tend to lean towards a higher deductible to keep premiums down. But then again, with kids now and more frequent family road trips, I'm reconsidering if that's still the smartest move. One unexpected repair bill could really sting, especially if it's something major like transmission or engine issues.
Do you guys also factor in the age and reliability of your vehicle when deciding on deductibles? Seems like older cars might justify a different strategy than newer ones...
