My wife scraped the side of our car, and the repair estimate is about $4K. Right now, we have a $1K deductible, but the car’s still drivable and it’s just cosmetic damage.I’m thinking about lowering our collision deductible to $250 and waiting 4-5 months before getting it fixed. Do you think this would raise any red flags with the insurance company? Has anyone done this before?
The amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurer pays the remaining balance for repairs is known as a deductible. For instance, if the total cost of your repairs is $1,500 and your deductible is $500, you will pay $500 and your insurance will pay the remaining $1,000.
Your monthly premium will go up if your deductible is lowered, but it will go down if it is raised. This is so because you’re assuming greater risk when you have a larger deductible.
It’s crucial to pick a deductible that, in the case of an accident, you can afford to pay out of pocket. If you drive a lot or in busy places, you can benefit more from a smaller deductible.
You may choose to pay less in monthly premiums by choosing a greater deductible if your funds allow you to do so. Conversely, a smaller deductible might be preferable if you would rather have fewer out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident.