Totally get where you’re coming from—picking a deductible always feels like a weird bet on the future. I’ve had that same “what if” feeling, especially with kids and a minivan that seems to attract stray shopping carts. Your idea about separating the savings is smart. It’s not foolproof, but it definitely helps keep the car fund safe from late-night cravings. At least if something happens, you’re not scrambling for cash.
Yeah, it really does feel like you’re rolling the dice every year. Here’s how I look at it:
- Lower deductible means higher premiums, but less out-of-pocket if something happens.
- Higher deductible saves you monthly, but you’re on the hook if you get unlucky.
I’ve had a classic Mustang for years, and I always go with a higher deductible since I drive it sparingly and keep it garaged. But with my daily driver, I keep the deductible lower—too many unknowns out there. Separating the savings is smart, but I’d add: make sure you actually keep up with it. Life has a way of eating into those “set aside” funds if you’re not careful... especially when car parts aren’t cheap.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually push back a bit on always going high deductible for cars you drive less. Even if it’s garaged, stuff like hail or a random break-in can still happen. Sometimes the premium difference isn’t huge, and you might sleep easier knowing you won’t get hit with a big bill if something weird happens. Just depends how much risk you’re comfortable carrying, I guess.
Picking a deductible really does feel like betting against yourself. I just bought my first car and spent way too long staring at those numbers, trying to figure out if I’m being smart or just cheap. I get what you’re saying about “sleeping easier knowing you won’t get hit with a big bill if something weird happens.”
Sometimes the premium difference isn’t huge, and you might sleep easier knowing you won’t get hit with a big bill if something weird happens.
But here’s the thing—I barely drive, and my car lives in a garage that’s basically Fort Knox. I kept thinking, what are the odds? Then my neighbor’s car got sideswiped by some delivery truck that never left a note. Totally random. Now I’m second-guessing everything.
I ended up going with a middle-of-the-road deductible because honestly, I just couldn’t decide. It’s like flipping a coin between “save money now” and “don’t get wrecked later.” Insurance is wild... feels like no matter what you pick, you’ll only know if it was right after something bad happens.
Honestly, I get stuck on the same thing every time my policy renews. Is it really worth paying extra every month just in case something freaky happens, or is that just money down the drain if you’re careful? I always wonder if people actually end up using their insurance enough to justify the lower deductible, or if most of us are just overpaying for peace of mind. Anyone ever actually had to use theirs and felt like they picked the right number?
