What's a Car Insurance Deductible?
The short answer: how much you pay towards a covered claim.
- How do car insurance deductibles work at Lemonade?
- Do all car insurance coverages have a deductible?
- What are my deductible options?Â
- How do I choose my deductibles for car insurance?Â
- Which is better: higher or lower deductibles for car insurance?
- When do I pay my car insurance deductible?
- Can I change my car insurance deductible?
A car insurance deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers the rest of a covered claim. Think of it as your share of the repair costs; you pay upfront, then your insurance policy kicks in for the remaining expenses.
Let’s break down how deductibles work, what you can expect to pay, and how to choose the right amount for your situation.
TL;DR
- A car insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers the rest of a covered claim
- Higher deductibles lower your monthly premiums, while lower deductibles increase them because you’re taking on more financial responsibility when you choose a higher deductible
- You pay your deductible when filing claims under collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist property damage, or (sometimes) personal injury protection coverage
- There’s no perfect deductible for everyone. You’re choosing between paying more every month or paying more when you actually need to use it. Pick whatever fits your budget
How do car insurance deductibles work at Lemonade?
Car insurance deductibles work differently depending on your coverage type. At Lemonade, you’ll choose your deductibles for specific coverages when you set up your car insurance policy. Here’s how deductibles work for each type of coverage:
Collision Coverage applies when your car hits another vehicle or object, regardless of who’s at fault. Let’s say you slide into a tree during an ice storm and face $3,000 in repair costs. With a $500 collision deductible, you’d pay $500 upfront and Lemonade would cover the remaining $2,500.
Comprehensive Coverage handles non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, weather damage, or hitting an animal. Picture this: a hailstorm pounds your car, causing $1,800 in damage. If you chose a $250 comprehensive deductible, you’d pay $250 and your insurance covers the remaining $1,550.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) kicks in when an uninsured driver damages your car and you file a claim under your own policy. Imagine an uninsured driver rear-ends you at a red light, causing $2,200 in damage. With a $500 uninsured motorist deductible, you’d pay $500 and insurance covers $1,700.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) works differently. Some states require PIP deductibles for medical expenses after a car accident, regardless of fault. If you’re injured and rack up $800 in medical bills, a $100 PIP deductible means you’d pay $100 upfront and your insurance coverage handles the remaining $700.
Do all car insurance coverages have a deductible?
No, there are types of car insurance that aren’t always subject to a deductible, including:
- Liability coverage: helps cover damages that you cause to another person or property in an accident and is not subject to a deductible
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): helps cover your medical expenses in the event of an accident with a driver who has no insurance or whose coverage limits are not enough to cover your medical expenses
- Medical payments (AKA, MedPay): helps cover your medical expenses if you’re involved in an accident and are injured
What are my deductible options?Â
Deductibles typically range from $100 to $2,500, but the most common deductible amounts are $500 and $1,000. Your options depend on your state and what your insurance company offers.
Lemonade’s car insurance deductibles per state
| State | Collision | Comprehensive | UMPD | PIP |
| AZ | $250$500$1,000 | $250$500$1,000 | Not available | Not available |
| CO | $100$250$500$750$1,000$1,500$2,000 | $250$500$1,000 | $250 | Not available |
| IL | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250 | Not available |
| IN | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $0$250 | |
| OH | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250 | Not available |
| OR | $250$500$1,000 | $250$500$1,000 | $300 for hit-and-runOR$200 for all other losses | No deductible |
| TN | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $200 | Not available |
| TX | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $200 | No deductible |
| WA | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $250$500$1,000$2,000 | $300 for hit-and-runOR$100 for all other losses | No deductible |
How do I choose my deductibles for car insurance?Â
Choosing the right deductible depends on your budget and financial situation. The key is balancing what you can afford to pay upfront against your monthly insurance premium.
Consider your budget: Can you comfortably pay $500, $1,000, or more if you need to file a claim? If money’s tight, a lower deductible might make sense even if it means higher premiums.
Do the math: Say you’re choosing between a $500 and $1,000 deductible, and the higher deductible can save you $200 per year in premiums. If you don’t file a claim for 2.5 years, you’ve saved the extra $500 you’d pay in deductibles.
How much you paid before: Think about your driving history and prior repair costs. If you’ve had multiple claims or drive in high-risk areas, a low deductible could save money long-term.
Other policy factors: Consider your coverage limits, the value of your car, and whether you have an emergency fund. A higher deductible makes more sense if you have savings to cover unexpected repair costs.
Which is better: higher or lower deductibles for car insurance?
A higher deductible is better if you want lower monthly premiums and can afford the upfront cost when filing a claim. A lower deductible works better if you prefer predictable, smaller out-of-pocket expenses.
Here’s how deductibles affect your premium: when you choose a higher deductible, your monthly insurance costs go down. When you pick a lower deductible, your monthly payments go up. This happens because you’re taking on more financial responsibility when you choose a higher deductible, so your insurance company rewards you with lower rates.
The savings can add up over time. Increasing your deductible from $250 to $1,000 could reduce your collision and comprehensive premiums significantly. The exact amount depends on your insurance company, location, driving history, and vehicle value, but many drivers see meaningful monthly savings.
Here’s when you might consider a higher deductible:
- You have $2,000 in savings and rarely file claims: A $1,000 deductible could save you hundreds annually on premiums
- You drive an older car that’s paid off & worth $8,000: a high deductible makes sense since total loss payouts are limited anyway
- You’re a safe driver with no recent accidents: The premium savings may outweigh the risk
Here’s when a lower deductible may be right for you:
- You live paycheck to paycheck: A $250 deductible means smaller surprise expenses if something happens
- You drive in heavy traffic daily: Higher accident risk makes lower out-of-pocket costs worth the extra premium
- Your car is financed: Repair shops expect payment upfront, so lower deductibles ease the financial burden
It’s important to note that your deductible amount only affects coverages that include deductibles. Your liability coverage premiums remain unchanged regardless of your deductible choice.
When do I pay my car insurance deductible?
You pay your deductible when filing a covered claim under collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist property damage, or personal injury protection coverage. A good rule of thumb? Whenever you need your insurance to help fix your car, that’s when a deductible comes into play.
Here’s when it happens in real life: Say you’re running late and accidentally back into a tree. Now you need $1,200 in repairs to your bumper. You’d pay your collision deductible directly to the repair shop, then your insurance covers the rest.
Or picture this: you wake up to find a massive tree branch crashed down on your parked car during last night’s storm, leaving $2,800 in damage. That’s a comprehensive claim, so you’d pay your comprehensive deductible upfront before getting the repairs covered.
The most frustrating scenario? An uninsured driver smashes into you and speeds off, leaving you with the damage. In this case, you’d pay your uninsured motorist property damage deductible when getting your car repaired, since you’re filing the claim under your own policy.
Can I change my car insurance deductible?
Yes, you can change your auto insurance deductible at any time by contacting your insurance company. At Lemonade, you can adjust deductible options directly in the app, with changes taking effect immediately.
Keep in mind that changing to a lower deductible will increase your monthly premium, while a higher deductible will decrease it. Some insurance companies may require you to wait until renewal to make changes, but most allow mid-policy adjustments.
Before we go…
Understanding deductibles for car insurance helps you make smarter coverage decisions. The best deductible balances what you can afford upfront with comfortable monthly payments. Remember, there’s no universal “right” amount, just what works for your budget and peace of mind.
Whether you choose a $250 or $2,500 deductible, the most important thing is having adequate insurance coverage for protection after a car accident. Your deductible is just one piece of your overall auto insurance policy. Ready to see how much you could save with the right deductible for your situation?
Car insurance deductible FAQs
Do I pay a deductible for every car on my policy?
Each car on your insurance policy has its own deductible. If two cars are damaged in the same incident, you’d pay separate deductibles for each vehicle’s repairs.
What happens if my repair costs are less than my deductible?
If repair costs are less than your deductible amount, your insurance company won’t pay anything, and you’d cover the full expense yourself. This is why it’s important to choose a deductible that makes sense for your car’s value and typical repair costs.
Do I pay my deductible to my insurance company or the repair shop?
You typically pay your deductible directly to the repair shop when you pick up your car. Your insurance company pays the shop for covered repairs minus your deductible amount. Some insurers may collect the deductible upfront, then pay the full repair bill to the shop.
What happens if I can't afford to pay my deductible?
If you can’t pay your deductible upfront, you have a few options: some repair shops offer payment plans, you might be able to use a credit card, or you could ask family for help. However, you generally can’t get your car back from the shop until the deductible is paid.
Does my car insurance deductible reset each year like health insurance?
No, car insurance deductibles apply per claim, not per year. If you file three separate claims in one year, you’d pay your deductible three times. There’s no annual limit or reset period like you might see with health insurance or homeowners insurance.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
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