What Is a Car Insurance Deductible?

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How Do Car Insurance Deductibles Work?

couple happy knowing How Do Car Insurance Deductibles WorkFrom highway collisions to unexpected debris on the roads, damage to your vehicle can come in many forms. That’s why it’s important to have the right car insurance coverage. The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford1 has been keeping drivers and their families protected since 1984. If you’re looking for car insurance or want to know the type of coverage you should have, The Hartford can help. We’ll also help you understand confusing or complicated insurance terms, like “what is a car insurance deductible?”
 
A car insurance deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before an insurance company will cover the remaining repair or replacement costs to your vehicle. For example, both collision insurance and comprehensive car insurance coverages have deductibles with limits that you get to choose.
 
Unlike health insurance, where you have one deductible to cover all claims within a year, car insurance policies have separate deductibles per claim.
 

Examples of Car Insurance Deductibles

A car insurance deductible works to alleviate financial stress if you’re in a car accident. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible amount. So, if you have a $1,000 deductible but $4,000 worth of car repairs after an accident, your insurance will pay the remaining $3,000 after you pay the initial $1,000.
 

How Are Auto Insurance Deductibles Determined?

man reseaching How Are Auto Insurance Deductibles DeterminedTypically, your insurance company will provide a range of deductibles that you can pick from. Since the auto insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay up front before your insurance will cover the rest, you can pick the deductibles for your policy that work best for you.
 

How Do Deductibles Affect Car Insurance Rates?

In today’s world, a common question is: how much is car insurance? While car insurance rates are based on many factors, your deductible directly impacts your monthly premium. The lower your car insurance deductible is, the higher your monthly payment will be. That also means, the more you increase your deductible, the lower your monthly bill becomes.
 
Choosing a deductible is a personal decision. Some may prefer a higher premium each month with a lower deductible, while others might want the exact opposite. Ultimately, it’s important to pick a deductible you are comfortable with.
 

How Can I Avoid Paying My Car Insurance Deductible?

man knows How Can I Avoid Paying My Car Insurance DeductibleFrom a tree limb falling and cracking your windshield to someone backing into your car at the grocery store, damages to your car can be unavoidable. Even the safest of drivers find themselves needing repairs or replacements. Luckily, you don’t always have to pay your deductible, depending on the situation.
 

Not-At-Fault Accidents

If you’re in an accident that isn’t your fault and you already paid your auto insurance deductible, then your insurance company can assist in reimbursement. They will perform an investigation to make sure you have no fault in the accident. Then they will get payment from the other driver’s insurance company to cover your costs.
 

Claims Against Liability

You won’t have to pay a deductible if someone files a claim against your liability coverage. Your insurance company covers the costs of damages or injuries that are a result of an accident that is your fault, up to your liability coverage limits.
 

Disappearing Deductibles

At The Hartford, we believe safe drivers should be rewarded. Your deductible could be reduced over time in most states as long as you maintain a clean driving record.
 

Windshield Repairs

If your windshield is damaged by a rock or hail, you’ll likely have to pay your deductible before your coverage kicks in on a standard auto insurance policy. But if you buy full auto glass insurance, you will get coverage that pays to replace or repair your damaged windshield with no deductible.

Additional Questions About Deductibles on Car Insurance

It depends. Some people prefer to pay more each month to have a lower car insurance deductible, while others would rather pay less in premium each month and more out of pocket if they need to.
The right car insurance deductible is unique to everyone. Ultimately, it depends on your specific financial situation.
If you have a $1,000 deductible for car insurance and you get into an accident, you will have to pay $1,000 out of pocket before your insurance company will cover the rest.
After your claim is approved, you will need to pay your deductible. You will be assigned a claim handler who will help you throughout the entire claims process.
 

Get a Free Quote From The Hartford

We’re an insurance company you can trust. The Hartford has been protecting drivers and their families through the AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford since 1984. To get a free quote online, simply enter your zip code and provide a few basic details, such as:
 
  • Personal information, like your name and where you live.
  • Vehicle details, like the year, make, model of your car and ownership status.
  • Information about any other drivers who will be covered on your policy, like their names and relationship to you.
  • Details about your current auto insurance policy.
Pay as little as $78*** for personalized car insurance through the AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford. Get a quote today online or by calling 888-546-9099.
 
 
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
 
*** Based on Maine Auto policyholders 1 vehicle and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and vehicle(s)/driver(s) characteristics.
** Average savings amounts based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford from other carriers between 9/1/22 and 8/31/23. Your savings may vary. Average auto insurance savings is $577 and average home insurance savings is $236. Rate differences for AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure. Auto/Home discount is available only to policyholders who have both their auto and home (or condo or renters) insurance through the AARP Auto & Home Insurance program from The Hartford. The Hartford does not write new business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL.
 
§ Availability of RecoverCare benefit and benefit levels vary by state. The Hartford RecoverCare Advantage® is a registered mark of The Hartford.
 
§§ Terms and conditions apply.
 
Terms and conditions apply. Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible are not available to CA policyholders.
 
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply. Availability varies by state.
 
‡‡‡ Based on one car and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and characteristics of vehicle(s)/driver(s).
 
Additional disclosures below.
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. Home product is not available in all areas, including the state of FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
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