What Is a Car Insurance Deductible?

From car accidents to extreme weather, your vehicle can be unexpectedly damaged anytime you’re on the road. That’s why having insurance is so important. The right policy will help get your car repaired while only having to pay a portion of the total bill through your car insurance deductible.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
LinkedIn Profile
Updated: 06/11/2025
Read Time: 4 minutes
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Key Takeaways

  • A car insurance deductible is an amount you must pay after a covered loss before insurance coverage kicks in.
  • With AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford,1 you’ll be able to pick the deductible amount that best fits your budget. For example, a lower deductible means you’ll pay less before your insurance covers the rest after an accident but may result in a higher monthly premium.
  • In limited scenarios, you can avoid paying a deductible altogether. One way is by taking advantage of benefits from The Hartford, like a disappearing deductible.‡

How Does a Deductible Work for Auto Insurance?

Whether you’re looking for auto insurance or have questions about your car insurance coverage, The Hartford is here to help. One of the questions we’re asked often is: “what is a deductible in car insurance?” Simply put, a car insurance deductible is the amount you need to 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.
couple protected by knowing what is a deductible in car insurance

Examples of Car Insurance Deductibles

Customers with car insurance deductibles typically only have to pay a portion of their repair costs when they’ve been in an accident. This means you’re only responsible for paying your deductible amount after a covered claim. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible but $4,000 worth of car repairs after a crash, your insurance provider will pay the $3,000 after you’ve paid the initial $1,000.

How Are Auto Insurance Deductibles Determined?

Typically, your insurance company will give you a list of deductibles that you can choose from so you can pick the amount that work best for you.
Tip:
The average car insurance deductible typically falls between $500 and 1,000. Picking the right deductible amount depends on your comfort with out-of-pocket costs and how much you’d prefer to save on your monthly insurance premium.

How Do Deductibles Affect Car Insurance Rates?

Most drivers want to know what they’ll pay for coverage. That’s why we’re often asked, “how much is car insurance exactly?” There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer because car insurance rates are based on many factors. For instance, your deductible directly impacts your monthly insurance premium. The lower your car insurance deductible is, the higher your monthly payment will be. This also means that the more you increase your deductible, the lower your monthly bill becomes.
 
Choosing a deductible is based on preference. Some choose a higher car insurance premium each month with a lower deductible, while others might want the exact opposite. Ultimately, it’s important to pick a deductible that you are comfortable with.
woman happy knowing how does a deductible work for auto insurance

How Can I Avoid Paying My Car Insurance Deductible?

From 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.
If you’re in an accident that isn’t your fault and you’ve already paid your auto insurance deductible, your insurance company can reimburse you. First, they’ll make sure you had no fault in the accident and then they’ll get payment from the other driver’s insurance company to cover your costs.
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.
At The Hartford, we believe safe drivers should be rewarded. With this optional coverage, your deductible could be reduced over time in most states as long as you maintain a clean driving record.‡
If you have a standard auto insurance policy and your windshield is damaged by a rock or hail, you’ll likely have to pay your deductible before your coverage kicks. But if you buy full auto glass insurance (available when you have Comprehensive coverage), you will get coverage that pays to replace or repair your damaged windshield with no deductible.
 

Get a Free Quote From The Hartford

An insurance company you can trust, The Hartford has been offering customizable coverage options to AARP members for over 40 years. To get a free car insurance quote online, simply enter your zip code and provide a few basic details, such as:
 
  • Personal information, like your name and birthday
  • Vehicle details like the year, make and model of your car
  • Information about any other drivers who will be covered on your policy
  • Details about your current auto insurance policy
If you want to talk to a representative, we’re happy to help. Call The Hartford today at 888-546-9099 to get started.

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.
“What is a deductible for a car insurance and how do I pick a good one?” These are questions many drivers ask, but the answer is unique to everyone. Ultimately, the right car insurance deductible depends on your specific financial situation and what “good” means to you.
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.

Related Articles

** 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.
AARP® Auto Insurance
Quick Links
FAQs
For AARP® Members
Additional Resources
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.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.