Good points overall, but honestly, I've seen it go both ways. I used to commute daily through heavy traffic and figured a lower deductible was the smart move. But after years of paying higher premiums without a single claim, I started questioning if I was just throwing money away. Switched to a higher deductible last year...and of course, two months later, someone rear-ended me at a stoplight. Figures, right? Still not sure there's a perfect formula here—sometimes it's just luck of the draw.
"Still not sure there's a perfect formula here—sometimes it's just luck of the draw."
Haha, totally feel you on that one. A few years back, I decided to bump up my deductible to save some cash for road trips (priorities, right?). Everything was smooth sailing until a deer jumped out in front of me on a quiet country road...bam, instant regret. But honestly, even after that, I'm still sticking with the higher deductible. Like you said, sometimes it's just luck—good or bad—and you can't really predict it.
Yeah, totally relatable. Had a similar experience—went higher deductible to save cash for camping gear, then got caught in a hailstorm...ouch. Still, overall savings made it worth it. Like you said, it's mostly luck and rolling with the punches.
That's a good way to look at it—sometimes you gotta gamble a bit and hope the math works out in your favor. I usually suggest thinking about it step-by-step: first, check your savings cushion to cover that higher deductible comfortably...then consider how often you realistically expect to file a claim. If you're pretty cautious or your area's prone to weather issues, lower might actually be smarter. Ever had a moment when you wished you'd gone with a different deductible after the fact?
"Ever had a moment when you wished you'd gone with a different deductible after the fact?"
Definitely been there. When I first got my car, I went for the highest deductible to save on monthly payments—seemed smart at the time. Then, of course, I had a minor fender-bender in a parking lot (rookie mistake, I know...) and suddenly that high deductible didn't feel so clever. Learned my lesson quick: now I keep it moderate and stash away a bit extra each month just in case. Your step-by-step approach makes total sense though, wish I'd thought of it sooner.
