What is a Car Insurance Deductible?
by Amy Nutt
Car insurance is not only a necessity when driving a car, it is also the law. When drivers purchase car insurance, they are required to pay a car insurance deductible. The deductible is part of every drivers insurance policy and they are responsible for paying it. Basically, a deductible is the amount of money that a driver is willing to pay for the insurance coverage. Deductibles differ by state, but generally, they can be $100, $250, $500, $1000 or $1500. For instance, if you had a deductible of $1000, and received damage to you car in the amount of $5000, you would pay $1000 and the insurance company would pay $4000. This money must be paid before your insurance company will pay your claim.
Selecting a deductible is an important decision because it will affect the cost of your premium. The higher the amount of the deductible that you choose, the lower your insurance premiums will be. You could possibly save up to 20 percent. Comprehensive and collision coverage are associated with the insurance deductible. Comprehensive covers any damage to your vehicle other than another car. This can include hail, ice pellets, physical damage such as vandalism, or hitting something such as a deer…etc. Comprehensive insurance also covers theft. Collision insurance covers damage caused to your car as the result of a collision with another vehicle.
Although the higher the insurance deductible, the lower the premium, you will still have to make sure you can afford the deductible in the event that you have to make a claim. It is important that set aside the amount of the deductible such as depositing it in a specific bank account. If you cannot deposit the entire amount, make regular deposits to make up for the shortfall until your reach the total amount.
Most car insurance companies provide deductible calculators on their website. Before you decide which deductible you will use, compare policies and how much each costs. If you need further information, contact an insurance agent.
...