What Are Insurance Deductibles?

When it comes to purchasing insurance, there are a lot of different factors to consider. One of the most important aspects of any insurance policy is the deductible. But what exactly is a deductible, and how does it work?

What Is an Insurance Deductible?

Essentially, an insurance deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. This means that if you have a $500 deductible on your auto insurance policy, for example, and you get into an accident that causes $1,000 worth of damage to your car, you will have to pay $500 before your insurance company will cover the remaining $500.

Deductibles are typically set by the insurance company and can vary depending on the type of policy you have. Some policies may have a set dollar amount for the deductible, while others may have a percentage-based deductible. For example, if you have a health insurance policy with a 20% deductible, you would be responsible for paying 20% of the cost of any medical treatment you receive.

It’s important to note that deductibles are separate from premiums, which are the regular payments you make to maintain your insurance coverage. Generally, policies with higher deductibles will have lower premiums, and vice versa.

How Do Deductibles Work?

The way deductibles work can vary depending on the type of insurance policy you have. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

Auto Insurance

When it comes to auto insurance, deductibles are typically set on a per-incident basis. This means that if you get into multiple accidents, you may have to pay the deductible each time. Some policies may have a “per year” deductible, which means that you would only have to pay the deductible once per year regardless of how many accidents you have.

Homeowners Insurance

With homeowners insurance, deductibles are typically set on a per-claim basis. This means that if you have a deductible of $1,000 and your home sustains $2,000 worth of damage from a storm, you would have to pay the entire $1,000 deductible before your insurance company covers the remaining $1,000.

Health Insurance

Health insurance deductibles can be a bit more complicated. Some policies have separate deductibles for different types of medical services (such as hospital stays, prescription drugs, or doctor’s visits). Other policies may have a combined deductible that covers all types of medical expenses.

FAQ

Question
Answer
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money that you are responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.
How do deductibles work?
The way deductibles work can vary depending on the type of insurance policy you have. Generally, you will have to pay the deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in.
Are there different types of deductibles?
Yes, there are different types of deductibles depending on the type of insurance policy you have. Some policies may have a set dollar amount for the deductible, while others may have a percentage-based deductible.
Can I choose my deductible?
In some cases, you may be able to choose your deductible. However, this will depend on the specific insurance policy and insurance company.
Do I have to pay the deductible every time I make a claim?
It depends on the type of insurance policy you have. Some policies have a per-incident deductible, while others have a per-claim deductible.

Conclusion

Understanding how insurance deductibles work is an important part of choosing the right insurance policy for your needs. By knowing what you are responsible for paying out of pocket, you can make informed decisions about how much coverage you need and how much you can afford to pay in premiums.

If you have any questions about deductibles or insurance policies in general, be sure to reach out to your insurance agent or provider for more information.