Crunching numbers definitely helps, but as someone who's had my fair share of fender-benders (yeah, guilty as charged...), I'd say comfort level matters just as much. I used to go for the highest deductible to save monthly, but after one accident drained my savings, I realized peace of mind is worth paying a bit extra each month. It's all about finding that balance between affordability and not stressing every time you hit the road.
Do you guys ever actually calculate how much you'd save each month vs. the deductible cost? I tried once, got bored halfway through, and just stuck with a mid-range option. Figured it's better than stressing every time someone brakes suddenly in front of me...
Honestly, does anyone really sit down and crunch those numbers every renewal? I mean, props to you for even trying—I gave up after about five minutes. But here's the thing: if you're driving something older or classic (like me), the deductible math changes completely. With my '69 Mustang, it's less about monthly savings and more about "what's it gonna cost me if some idiot backs into my bumper at a car show?" I'd rather pay a bit more monthly and know I'm covered than risk shelling out thousands on repairs because I wanted to save a few bucks each month.
Maybe it's different with newer cars where parts are everywhere, but when you're hunting down original chrome trim or vintage headlights... trust me, you don't want to be stuck paying out-of-pocket. Have you considered factoring in your car's age and rarity instead of just monthly savings? Might change your perspective a bit.
"With my '69 Mustang, it's less about monthly savings and more about 'what's it gonna cost me if some idiot backs into my bumper at a car show?'"
This right here is exactly why I stopped obsessing over deductible calculations. Had a similar wake-up call when someone clipped my old Camaro at a local meetup. Thought I'd save a few bucks by going with a higher deductible, but man, did that backfire. Tracking down original fenders and matching paint codes was an absolute nightmare—not to mention the hit to my wallet. Now I just keep the deductible manageable enough that if something happens, I'm not left scrambling.
I guess it really boils down to how easily you can replace parts and how much hassle you're willing to tolerate. Older rides definitely shift the math. Anyone else learned this the hard way?
Had a similar dilemma after a rock cracked my windshield halfway through a cross-country trip. Thought I'd be clever by upping the deductible to save cash for more trips, but ended up paying out of pocket big time. Learned quickly that lower deductibles aren't always wasted money—especially if you're frequently on the road or dealing with rare parts. Now I keep it reasonable enough that one bad pothole or stray rock doesn't ruin my travel budget...lesson learned the hard way.
