I've always been on the higher deductible side too, but honestly, my driving record isn't exactly spotless... A couple years back, I rear-ended someone at a stoplight—nothing serious, thankfully—but the repair costs were enough to make me reconsider. Did the math afterward and realized that even with my occasional mishaps, I'm still saving money overall with a higher deductible. Guess it depends on how often you think you'll need it and how comfortable you are with risk.
"Guess it depends on how often you think you'll need it and how comfortable you are with risk."
Yeah, exactly—it's all about your comfort zone. Ever thought about how much you'd realistically have stashed away if something happened tomorrow? I mean, higher deductibles save money... until they don't, haha.
Yeah, totally agree with you there. When I was picking mine, I just broke it down step-by-step: First, figured out how much cash I could realistically pull together in an emergency without stressing myself out. Then compared that number to the deductible options. Honestly, if you're tight on savings, a lower deductible might cost more monthly but saves headaches later. It's all about balancing short-term savings against long-term peace of mind...
Good points there, but honestly, I think it's not just about savings. I've always been a bit skeptical about paying higher premiums just to have a lower deductible. I've commuted daily for years now, and yeah, the occasional fender-bender or windshield crack does happen. But when I did the math, paying extra each month just didn't make sense for me. I'd rather stash that extra cash in a separate "car stuff" fund and use it if something comes up—if nothing does, hey, bonus cash at the end of the year.
Of course, if you're someone who gets super anxious about unexpected costs, then yeah, peace of mind might outweigh the monthly hit. It's pretty personal. For me, though, the odds of needing it regularly aren't high enough to justify handing over more money every month. Just my two cents...
"I'd rather stash that extra cash in a separate 'car stuff' fund and use it if something comes up—if nothing does, hey, bonus cash at the end of the year."
That's actually a pretty smart approach, especially if you're disciplined enough to keep that fund untouched. From what I've seen, people often underestimate how quickly small repairs can add up. But you're right—it's all about your personal comfort level with risk. If you've got a solid emergency fund already set aside, opting for a higher deductible usually makes sense financially. Just make sure you're realistic about your driving habits and local conditions... those potholes can be brutal on tires and suspensions.
