I totally get where you’re coming from. I used to drive a late-model Accord, nothing fancy, but even then, one time a kid on a bike clipped my mirror and it cost way more than I expected. After that, I started thinking about what I’d actually be able to afford out of pocket. For me, I ended up raising my deductible instead of dropping collision altogether—it shaved a chunk off the premium but didn’t leave me totally exposed. Not sure it’s perfect, but it helped me sleep at night.
After that, I started thinking about what I’d actually be able to afford out of pocket. For me, I ended up raising my deductible instead of dropping collision altogether—it shaved a chunk off t...
Raising the deductible makes sense, especially if you’re careful and don’t drive much. I get nervous about being “totally exposed” too, like you said. I’d rather pay a bit more each month than risk a huge bill all at once. Guess it’s all about what helps you worry less.
I totally get that feeling—like, the idea of having to pay a huge repair bill out of nowhere kinda freaks me out too. I’m still new to driving, so I keep my deductible lower just for peace of mind, even though it means my monthly payment is a bit higher. Maybe when I’ve got more experience (and savings), I’ll risk bumping it up. For now, I’d rather not gamble with my luck, you know?
Honestly, I think you’re making a smart call keeping your deductible low for now. When you’re just starting out, it’s way more stressful not knowing what could happen on the road, and having that safety net is worth a few extra bucks each month. I know some people say you should always go for the lowest premium possible, but if you don’t have a bunch of savings set aside, one bad day could wipe you out.
I remember my cousin went with a high deductible right after getting her license because she wanted to save money—then she got rear-ended like two months later and had to borrow from her parents just to cover repairs. Not fun.
Once you’ve got more experience (and maybe a little emergency stash), then sure, raising the deductible can make sense. But for now? Peace of mind is underrated, honestly.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m always torn on this. On one hand, yeah, a low deductible is a nice safety net if you’re not sitting on a pile of cash. On the other, those monthly premiums add up fast. I did the math last year and realized I’d paid more in premiums than my old car was even worth… kind of made me question the whole thing. Guess it’s all about what helps you sleep at night, but man, insurance is such a racket sometimes.