How high should my deductible be?

High enough that premium savings are meaningful, but never higher than you could comfortably pay out of pocket after a bad day. Break-even is the trade; your emergency fund is the ceiling.

Does filing a claim really raise my premium?

It often does, or costs a claims-free discount. For small claims near the deductible, paying out of pocket and not claiming is frequently the cheaper long-run move — coverage is there for large losses.

What claim frequency should I assume?

We seed rough averages (home ≈ 1-in-9 years, auto collision ≈ 1-in-7) marked as assumptions. Your history and risk matter more — adjust the field to something you would actually bet on.

Is this advice to raise my deductible?

No. It is educational break-even and expected-cost math only. Confirm with your broker or insurer and your cash buffer.

Where is my data stored?

Only in your browser — no account required.

Deductible Optimizer

Raising your deductible lowers premium — but you self-insure the difference. Here's break-even, expected cost, and the claim-premium catch.

Free · No signup · Verified July 2026

Robert noticed the higher deductible breaks even in ~6.0 years and wins on pure expected cost at a 1-in-9 claim rate — still weigh claim-related premium hikes.

Break-even

6.0 years

Claim-free years to earn back the increase

Deductible increase

$1,500

$1,000 → $2,500

Expected cost (high)

Saves ~$83/yr

High deductible wins on pure EV

Claim probability / year

11.1%

1 in 9 years (assumption)

Robert noticed…

Expected-cost math ignores premium increases after a claim and claims-forgiveness programs — those can dominate the pure break-even.

Decision checklist

Don't set a deductible higher than cash you could produce tomorrow without stress. Self-insuring only works if you can actually cover it.
Claiming can raise next year's premium or cost a claims-free discount — often for years. For small claims near the deductible, paying out of pocket can be cheaper long-run.
Pure expected cost at a 1-in-9 rate: higher deductible wins. Adjust frequency to something you'd actually bet on.

Educational estimates only — not insurance, tax, or legal advice. No products sold. Figures use verified government constants where cited and your inputs/assumptions elsewhere. Confirm against your policy wording and a licensed advisor or broker. Robert is a mascot, not a licensed insurance advisor.

Frequently asked questions

How high should my deductible be?: High enough that premium savings are meaningful, but never higher than you could comfortably pay out of pocket after a bad day. Break-even is the trade; your emergency fund is the ceiling.
Does filing a claim really raise my premium?: It often does, or costs a claims-free discount. For small claims near the deductible, paying out of pocket and not claiming is frequently the cheaper long-run move — coverage is there for large losses.
What claim frequency should I assume?: We seed rough averages (home ≈ 1-in-9 years, auto collision ≈ 1-in-7) marked as assumptions. Your history and risk matter more — adjust the field to something you would actually bet on.
Is this advice to raise my deductible?: No. It is educational break-even and expected-cost math only. Confirm with your broker or insurer and your cash buffer.
Where is my data stored?: Only in your browser — no account required.

Deductible Optimizer

Decision checklist

Frequently asked questions

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