3 Reasons Not to Get Low-Deductible Car Insurance

This post may contain affiliate links which may compensate us based on your interaction. Please read the disclosures for more information.

[[{“value”:”Choosing the right car insurance deductible can be a big decision. While a lower deductible means paying less when you file a claim, it usually comes with higher monthly premiums.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. While it might seem safer, low-deductible car insurance isn’t always the best choice. Here are three reasons to reconsider before you decide to go with a low deductible.1. Higher premiumsLow deductibles lower your out-of-pocket costs after an accident, but they come with higher monthly or yearly premiums. If you’re a safe driver who rarely makes claims, you may pay more overall.Say you go a few years without an accident, but you have a low-deductible monthly premium that’s $30 higher than the alternative. That’s $360 more per year — and over several years, that extra cost can outweigh what you save on deductibles.With our free tool, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars per year just by switching car insurance — and it only takes a few minutes to find out. Check it out to compare rates from the top companies today.2. Small claims can raise your ratesWith a low deductible, you might decide to file a claim for minor damage. That might sound nice, but it can cause your insurance company to increase your rates, making your already-high premium even higher.You’ll end up having to choose between making a small claim that can raise your rate or paying out of pocket.3. Less motivation to drive carefullyA low deductible means you pay less if you have an accident, which means you have less motivation to avoid crashes.Nobody goes out on the road seeking an accident. But higher deductibles do add an extra incentive for cautious driving, because you risk paying more out of pocket when something does go wrong.How to choose the right deductibleA low deductible on your auto insurance might make sense for you if you want utmost peace of mind, or can’t afford surprise expenses after a crash.But for many drivers, striking a balance between premiums and deductibles will help save money in the long run. Consider your budget and driving habits before choosing — and check out our free tool to compare rates and potentially save hundreds of dollars today.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Choosing the right car insurance deductible can be a big decision. While a lower deductible means paying less when you file a claim, it usually comes with higher monthly premiums.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

While it might seem safer, low-deductible car insurance isn’t always the best choice. Here are three reasons to reconsider before you decide to go with a low deductible.

1. Higher premiums

Low deductibles lower your out-of-pocket costs after an accident, but they come with higher monthly or yearly premiums. If you’re a safe driver who rarely makes claims, you may pay more overall.

Say you go a few years without an accident, but you have a low-deductible monthly premium that’s $30 higher than the alternative. That’s $360 more per year — and over several years, that extra cost can outweigh what you save on deductibles.

With our free tool, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars per year just by switching car insurance — and it only takes a few minutes to find out. Check it out to compare rates from the top companies today.

2. Small claims can raise your rates

With a low deductible, you might decide to file a claim for minor damage. That might sound nice, but it can cause your insurance company to increase your rates, making your already-high premium even higher.

You’ll end up having to choose between making a small claim that can raise your rate or paying out of pocket.

3. Less motivation to drive carefully

A low deductible means you pay less if you have an accident, which means you have less motivation to avoid crashes.

Nobody goes out on the road seeking an accident. But higher deductibles do add an extra incentive for cautious driving, because you risk paying more out of pocket when something does go wrong.

How to choose the right deductible

A low deductible on your auto insurance might make sense for you if you want utmost peace of mind, or can’t afford surprise expenses after a crash.

But for many drivers, striking a balance between premiums and deductibles will help save money in the long run. Consider your budget and driving habits before choosing — and check out our free tool to compare rates and potentially save hundreds of dollars today.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More