Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Asked by: Brandt Murphy  |  Last update: May 2, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (28 votes)

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

What's the difference between a $500 deductible and $1000 deductible?

Let's compare a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible. If you choose a $500 deductible, your rate will be higher than if you choose a $1,000 deductible. If you were to file a claim with a $500 deductible, however, your out-of-pocket cost would be $500 less than if you filed a claim with a $1,000 deductible.

Is a $500 deductible good?

There aren't any hard statistics on this, but industry sources say a $500 deductible is considered “standard.” There are good reasons to opt for a higher deductible, though…

Is it better to have a higher or lower deductible on car insurance?

Generally, you shouldn't pay more for a lower deductible unless it's a very small additional premium. You're better off having that money in your savings account to deal with emergencies than paying some of it to an insurance company because not all emergencies are car emergencies.

Is it better to have a low or high deductible?

Having an LDHP can save you money if you have costly health issues or a larger family. The higher premium would be far less than what you would pay in deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums with an HDHP. For many people, paying a little more each month is easier than covering a large medical bill.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

27 related questions found

Why is it not a great idea to have a high deductible?

Large medical expenses: Since HDHPs generally only cover preventive care, an accident or emergency could result in very high out-of-pocket costs. Future health risks: Because of the costs, you may refrain from visiting a physician, getting treatments, or purchasing prescriptions when they're not covered by your HDHP.

What is a disadvantage of having a high deductible?

Cons of High Deductible Healthcare Plans

Individuals who are stretched thin for funds may delay or avoid seeking medical treatment due to the high cost of treatment. For example, someone injured may avoid the emergency room if they know it will result in an expensive bill that will be applied to the plan deductible.

What does $500 deductible with full glass mean?

For instance, if you're considering full glass coverage with a $500 deductible and an additional cost of $5-$10 per month on your premiums, it means that before your insurer covers any repair or replacements due to glass damages on your vehicle's windshield, sunroof, or even side windows during an accident or other ...

Which deductible should I choose?

Key takeaways. Low deductibles are best when an illness or injury requires extensive medical care. High-deductible plans offer more manageable premiums and access to HSAs. HSAs offer a trio of tax benefits and can be a source of retirement income.

Do you pay the deductible if not at fault?

In California, determining fault is crucial in deciding who ultimately pays the deductible. California follows a “fault” insurance system, meaning the driver responsible for causing the accident pays for the damages through their insurance company. However, the process of determining fault may take time.

What deductible is too high?

In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

Can the color of your car affect your insurance premium?

The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates. Learn more about the factors that impact auto insurance pricing.

What should my deductible be for comprehensive and collision?

Comprehensive coverage: Deductibles for comprehensive coverage, which covers damage to the vehicle from a non-driving peril, like extreme weather, theft and vandalism, are typically set at $500 or $1,000. Collision coverage: Drivers can typically choose to pay $500 or $1,000 as their collision deductible.

What is the most common car insurance deductible?

$500 is the most common car insurance deductible. Not every type of car insurance coverage uses a deductible. A higher car deductible can lower your insurance premium. You pick your deductible when buying insurance.

How to get deductible waived?

Fault determination: Most insurers require you to be not at fault for the accident. Some auto companies may require you to be 100 percent fault-free to have the deductible waived, while others may waive a percent of your deductible based on your percentage of fault.

Do you pay deductible before or after a car is fixed?

You generally pay your deductible to a car repair shop after it fixes your vehicle. Once you file an insurance claim for damage to your car, an insurance adjuster usually reviews your claim and determines how much your insurer will pay for repairs based on your policy limits and deductible.

Is it better to have a 500 or 1000 deductible?

Since a lower deductible equates to more coverage, you'll have to pay more in your monthly premiums to balance out this increased coverage. A survey commissioned by InsuraQuotes found that an increase in deductible from $500 to $1,000 had an average of 8-10% reduction in premium costs.

Do copays count towards deductible?

Copays do not count toward your deductible. This means that once you reach your deductible, you will still have copays. Your copays end only when you have reached your out-of-pocket maximum.

Is it better to have high or low deductible?

High-deductible health plans usually carry lower premiums but require more out-of-pocket spending before insurance starts paying for care. Meanwhile, health insurance plans with lower deductibles offer more predictable costs and often more generous coverage, but they usually come with higher premiums.

Does your insurance go up if a rock hits your windshield?

Most comprehensive auto insurance policies include coverage for windshield damage, which means that the cost of repairing or replacing a cracked or chipped windshield may be covered, often without affecting your premium.

Do I pay my deductible to the Body Shop?

For example, if your plan has a $500 deductible, you will pay that amount to the body shop, and your insurance will handle the rest.

What if damage is less than deductible?

For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and your suffer $800 in damages, then your insurance company isn't going to pay anything. The amount of damage is less than your deductible. You're responsible for the first $1,000, so you're responsible for the full $800 in this case.

Who should not use a high-deductible health plan?

Namely, you're responsible for paying a larger portion of your healthcare expenses out of pocket. This can be a significant financial burden for those with a lot of medical expenses and could lead to financial strain. HDHPs may not be the best choice for those with chronic or frequent medical needs.

What is a normal deductible for health insurance?

What is a typical deductible? Deductibles can vary significantly from plan to plan. According to a KFF analysis, the 2024 average deductible for individual, employer-provided coverage was $1,787 ($2,575 at small companies vs. $1,538 at large companies).

What is too high of a deductible?

For individuals, a health plan can qualify as high deductible if the deductible is at least $1,350, and the max out-of-pocket cost (the most you'd pay in a year for medical expenses, with insurance covering everything else) is at least $6,750.