Totally get this. I used to have a higher deductible too, thinking I'd save money...until I had a deer leap out at me on a night drive through Pennsylvania. Nothing like a sudden wildlife encounter to make you rethink your insurance choices.
After that, I lowered mine as well. Sure, seeing the monthly payment tick up stings a bit, but honestly, the peace of mind is worth it. Especially since I do plenty of road trips—some of those back roads can be pretty sketchy. I'd rather pay a bit more each month than worry about every pothole or stray branch on the highway.
One thing I've learned from all my trips: sometimes it's better to budget for predictability rather than gamble on luck.
Had a similar wake-up call myself—though mine was a blown tire on the freeway at rush hour. Not fun. After that, I went for a lower deductible too. Still, sometimes I wonder if I'm just paying extra for peace of mind I might never need. How do you guys balance that? Do you base it more on your driving habits, or is it purely about comfort level with risk?
Honestly, I think it's mostly about how much hassle you're willing to deal with if something does happen. I drive a ton for road trips, and even though I'm pretty confident in my driving, I've seen enough random stuff go down on highways to know it's not always about me. I'd rather pay a bit more each month than stress about coughing up a big chunk of cash unexpectedly. Curious though—anyone here ever regretted going too low or too high on their deductible?
"I'd rather pay a bit more each month than stress about coughing up a big chunk of cash unexpectedly."
Totally get this mindset. I went low on my deductible once thinking I'd save money, then had a minor fender-bender in my classic Mustang...ouch. Learned my lesson quick. Now I keep it balanced—enough to keep monthly payments reasonable, but not so high that I'm sweating bullets if something happens. Peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, imo.
"Peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, imo."
Haha, ain't that the truth. I used to be all about cutting corners and saving every penny—until one rainy day when my trusty Corolla decided to kiss a guardrail. Nothing major, but man, that deductible stung more than the dent itself. Now I'm team "middle-ground" all the way:
- Low enough deductible that I don't hyperventilate when something happens.
- High enough that I'm not eating ramen noodles every night to afford the premium.
- Bonus: sleeping soundly knowing I'm covered.
Honestly, insurance is like buying shoes—you want comfort, but you don't wanna overspend on flashy features you'll never use. Sounds like you've found your sweet spot already, so good on you.
