"Sure, I might pay a bit more overall, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra bucks...at least for me."
Totally get this. It's easy to overlook how stressful even small incidents can be until you're actually dealing with one. I tend to lean toward higher deductibles myself, but your windshield story makes me reconsider a bit. Maybe it's worth paying a little extra upfront if it means fewer worries down the road...
I see your point about peace of mind, but honestly, I've always leaned toward higher deductibles myself. A few years back, I had a minor fender-bender—nothing serious, just a cracked bumper and some paint scratches. At the time, my deductible was pretty low, so I figured I'd just file a claim and be done with it. But after factoring in the premium hike over the next couple of years, I realized I'd have been better off paying out-of-pocket.
Since then, I've gone with higher deductibles and set aside the difference in premiums into an emergency fund instead. It's worked out pretty well so far—knock on wood—but your windshield story does make me pause. Glass claims can be sneaky expensive, and it's not something you really think about until you're staring at a spiderweb crack across your windshield on a Monday morning commute...
Guess it comes down to personal comfort level and how much risk you're willing to tolerate.
"Glass claims can be sneaky expensive, and it's not something you really think about until you're staring at a spiderweb crack across your windshield on a Monday morning commute..."
This is spot-on. Glass coverage is one of those sneaky details people often overlook when choosing deductibles. A lot of folks assume comprehensive coverage automatically includes glass replacement without realizing it can vary significantly by insurer and policy.
A higher deductible definitely makes sense if you're disciplined enough to stash away the premium savings into an emergency fund (like you've done). But it's worth double-checking if your insurer offers separate glass coverage with a lower or even zero deductible—often for just a few extra bucks per month. It might be a good compromise between keeping premiums low and avoiding those unexpected windshield expenses.
Also, keep in mind that some states mandate insurers to offer full glass coverage without deductibles, so it's always worth checking local regulations too. Just another layer to consider when weighing your options...
Totally agree about glass coverage being sneaky... learned that one the hard way when a rock chipped my windshield halfway through a cross-country road trip. Thankfully, my deductible wasn't crazy high, but it still stung a bit.
"it can vary significantly by insurer and policy."
Yeah, I noticed that too—my last insurer didn't even mention separate glass coverage. Curious if anyone's found insurers particularly good with affordable glass options or zero-deductible coverage that's actually worth it?
Yeah, glass coverage can definitely sneak up on you—I see it all the time. A lot of folks assume it's automatically included, but insurers often treat it separately or bury it in fine print. From what I've seen, some companies offer zero-deductible glass coverage as an add-on that's actually pretty reasonable. It might bump your premium slightly, but honestly, if you're driving a lot or live somewhere with rough roads (hello, gravel trucks...), it's usually worth it.
One thing I'd caution against is automatically jumping at the lowest deductible possible. Sure, it feels safer, but sometimes the math doesn't add up. If you're paying significantly more each month just to save a couple hundred bucks on a rare claim, you might be better off setting aside that extra cash yourself. It's all about balancing risk and cost—think about your driving habits, your area's road conditions, and how much financial cushion you have if something unexpected happens.
