Good points—I've always kept comprehensive because deer are everywhere around here. As for deductibles, I go with an amount I know won't wreck my budget if something happens. Curious, has anyone found that sweet spot between deductible size and monthly premiums?
I hear you on the deer thing... my cousin had a run-in last year, and it wasn't pretty. For deductibles, I try to balance it out by thinking about what I'd realistically have handy in savings if something happened. Lower deductible means higher premiums, but too high and you're biting nails when something goes wrong. Honestly still tweaking mine. Wondering though, does anyone factor in things like emergency funds or credit cards when deciding their deductible amount?
"Wondering though, does anyone factor in things like emergency funds or credit cards when deciding their deductible amount?"
I definitely considered my emergency fund when setting mine. As a first-time insurance buyer, I found it helpful to think about what I'd comfortably pay out-of-pocket without stressing too much. Credit cards didn't really factor in for me—personally, I'd rather not rely on debt during an emergency. But everyone's financial comfort zone is different, so it's good you're still tweaking yours. I'm still figuring mine out too...
I actually do factor in credit cards, but strictly as a backup to my emergency fund. For me, it's about balancing affordability with practicality—I'd rather pay a bit more monthly than get hit with a huge surprise bill later... learned that lesson the hard way once, lol.
Totally get where you're coming from on this. I used to think going for the highest deductible was the smart move—lower monthly payments seemed like a no-brainer. But then, a couple years back, I had a minor fender-bender with my Audi. Nothing major, just a cracked bumper and some paint damage... but man, luxury car repairs add up quick. My deductible was sky-high, and I ended up paying way more out-of-pocket than I'd expected.
After that experience, I reconsidered my approach. Now I choose a deductible that's somewhere in the middle—still manageable monthly payments, but not so high that I'd panic if something happened again. It's all about finding that sweet spot between peace of mind and affordability. Learned my lesson too, haha.
