Is It Possible to Increase My Car Insurance Deductible
Yes, you can raise your deductible whenever you want, and with fewer drivers and lower mileage now, it's usually worth doing.
A higher deductible works because you're paying to insure less risk
Your premium is priced partly on how much the insurer expects to pay out when something goes wrong. When you raise your deductible, you're telling the insurer you'll cover more of a small claim yourself, so they lower the price they charge you to carry that risk. That trade only makes sense if the amount you'd owe out of pocket is actually money you could produce without strain.
This is also why it fits your situation right now. With the kids gone, the car or cars left on your policy are likely driven less, by more experienced drivers, in more predictable patterns. Less driving and less risk is exactly the condition under which a higher deductible pays off, because you're less likely to need to use it, and when you do, it's probably for something minor like a cracked windshield or a parking lot dent rather than a major accident.
Where this gets less certain is the gap between your comfort and your actual savings. Raising a deductible from a low number to a high one usually saves less than people expect, and the exact amount depends on your insurer's pricing and your state's rules around rate filings. Some insurers will show you the new premium instantly when you change the deductible in their app or portal, others require a call. Either way, ask for the number before you decide, don't estimate it.
The case where this doesn't make sense is if you don't have the deductible amount sitting somewhere accessible. A higher deductible is a bet that you can absorb a bad week financially. If a sudden repair bill would force you to put it on a credit card at high interest or skip something else, the premium savings aren't worth it. The right deductible is the highest one you could pay in cash without feeling it for more than a month.
What deductible amount should I actually pick?
Pick the highest deductible you could pay in cash today without disrupting your month. That's the real test, not what sounds reasonable or what a chart suggests. If a number would mean skipping a bill or dipping into savings you don't want to touch, it's too high for you even if the premium savings look appealing.
Beyond that, think about how often you'd realistically file a claim. If your cars are older, driven rarely, and kept in a garage, a higher deductible costs you little in realistic risk. If you're still driving daily on a crowded commute, weigh that higher claim likelihood against the savings. There's no single right number, only the one that matches your cash cushion and how the cars actually get used now.
Raising your deductible now versus leaving it where it's always been
If you do
Your premium drops right away, often more than you'd expect for cars that barely leave the garage. If something happens, you pay more upfront before coverage kicks in. For a minor claim, you might decide it's not even worth filing, which keeps your record clean too.
If you don't
You keep paying for protection against small claims you're less likely to file now that there's less driving happening. The premium stays higher than it needs to be for your current risk. Nothing changes until you ask, insurers don't lower this on their own just because your household did.
Once you've picked a deductible you're comfortable with, compare quotes to see which insurer prices that risk best.
What to check before you raise it
- Your cash cushion Make sure you could pay the new deductible in cash without disrupting a month's budget. If you couldn't, pick a lower number instead.
- Both collision and comprehensive These two coverages often have separate deductibles. Check both and decide whether to raise one or both together.
- The actual premium change Ask your insurer for the new premium before committing, don't estimate it. The savings vary by insurer and by state.
- How the cars are driven now Lower mileage and fewer drivers mean lower risk, which makes a higher deductible make more sense. If a car still gets heavy daily use, weigh that against the savings.
- Your claims history If you've filed claims often, a higher deductible means more money out of pocket more frequently. If you rarely file, this is a lower-risk change for you.
Does raising my deductible affect my coverage limits too?
No, your deductible and your coverage limits are separate numbers. The deductible is what you pay before coverage starts, the limit is the maximum your insurer pays out. Raising your deductible doesn't reduce what you're covered for, it only changes your upfront cost when you file a claim. Check your policy declarations page to see both numbers listed separately, and confirm your limits still match what you'd want covered given your cars' value today.
Can I have different deductibles for each car on my policy?
Yes, most insurers let you set deductibles separately for each vehicle. This matters if one car is older or driven less than the other, since it may make sense to raise that one's deductible higher while keeping the other lower. Ask your insurer to show you the premium impact for each car individually rather than assuming they move together. Some insurers bundle deductibles across a policy by default, so confirm this is actually an option before assuming you have the flexibility.
Will a higher deductible change anything if my adult child borrows the car?
No, the deductible applies to the car regardless of who's driving it with your permission. If your child visits and drives the insured car and something happens, the same deductible applies as if you were driving. What matters more is whether they're still listed as a driver on your policy or need to be added temporarily. Check with your insurer about how occasional permitted use is handled, since rules on this can vary by insurer and by state.
