I get what you're saying, but honestly, as someone who's had more than my fair share of fender-benders (oops...), I still lean toward higher deductibles. Crunching the numbers, the premium savings usually outweigh the occasional minor repair. Of course, this means being ready to cough up cash when things go sideways—but if you're like me and used to the occasional "surprise," it's just part of the game.
I see your point, but honestly, if you're accident-prone (no judgment, been there myself...), lower deductibles can save your wallet from those sudden hits. Sure, premiums go up a bit, but peace of mind counts too—especially if your emergency fund isn't exactly overflowing.
I agree with your logic, especially about the peace of mind aspect. It's not always just about crunching numbers; sometimes it's the psychological comfort of knowing you're covered if things go south. But I'd also add another angle worth considering—your driving habits and typical commute environment.
For instance, I used to have a lower deductible because my daily commute involved navigating through heavy city traffic and construction zones. The risk of minor fender-benders or windshield chips was pretty high, so even though premiums were slightly higher, it made sense financially and emotionally to have that cushion.
But after moving to a quieter suburb and switching to mostly highway driving, I recalculated the risk. Fewer stop-and-go situations meant fewer chances for minor accidents. At this point, raising my deductible made more sense because the likelihood of frequent claims dropped significantly. Over the last few years, that decision has actually saved me money overall—even factoring in one small incident I paid out-of-pocket.
So I'd say it's helpful to periodically reassess your deductible based on your current driving situation and personal finances. Your initial point about being "accident-prone" is spot-on, but it's also good to factor in how your circumstances change over time...because what worked five years ago might not be ideal now.
"it's helpful to periodically reassess your deductible based on your current driving situation and personal finances."
Couldn't agree more with this. People often set their deductibles once and forget about it, but life changes—commutes, finances, even comfort levels shift over time. It's smart to revisit every couple of years. And like you mentioned, the psychological factor matters too...sometimes peace of mind is worth paying a bit extra for. Good points all around.
Good points about reassessing regularly. I usually go by a simple checklist every year or two:
- Has my driving routine changed? (Working remote saved me a ton of miles.)
- Can I comfortably cover the deductible if something happens?
- Am I paying too much monthly just to keep a low deductible?
Honestly, I'd rather stash the savings into my road trip fund than overpay insurance companies. But yeah, peace of mind counts too...just gotta find that sweet spot between comfort and cost.
