Auto Insurance Deductible Comparison Calculator
Compare a lower and a higher deductible (called an excess in the UK). See which option is cheaper over time, how long it takes to break even and the claim chance where each one wins.
Compare Your Deductible Options
Enter the deductible and annual premium for two quotes, then tell the calculator how likely you are to claim and what a typical claim costs. It weighs the premium savings against the extra you would pay on a claim.
Deductible Comparison Calculator
Also works for car insurance excess quotes.
Understanding the Trade-Off
How a deductible changes your real cost
Premium Is the Sure Cost
You pay your premium every year whether or not you claim. A higher deductible usually lowers it, so you save with certainty.
The Deductible Is the Risk
You only pay the deductible if you make a covered claim. If the claim is smaller than the deductible, you pay the whole claim yourself.
Your Claim Chance Decides
The lower your chance of claiming, the more a higher deductible tends to save. Use your own driving and claims history to estimate it.
Check You Can Afford It
Compare the higher deductible with your emergency savings. The calculator flags it if the deductible is more than you have set aside.
Low vs High Deductible at a Glance
General differences between deductible levels. Actual premiums and rules vary by insurer, vehicle and driver.
| Feature | Lower Deductible | Higher Deductible | Often Favours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | Usually higher | Usually lower | Higher deductible |
| Cost when you claim | Smaller bill at claim time | Larger bill at claim time | Lower deductible |
| Savings needed | Little cash needed after an accident | Needs a cash reserve to cover it | Lower deductible |
| Rarely claim | You may overpay in premiums | Premium savings add up claim-free | Higher deductible |
| Small repairs | Smaller claims may be worth making | Small claims may fall under the deductible | Depends on claim size |
| Predictability | Steadier yearly cost | Cost can spike in a claim year | Lower deductible |
Deductible Comparison FAQ
Answers to common questions about choosing an auto insurance deductible.
A deductible is the amount you pay yourself toward a covered claim before your insurer pays the rest. In the UK it is usually called the excess. A higher deductible generally lowers your premium, while a lower deductible raises it.
Enter the deductible and annual premium for two options, your average claim cost and the chance you claim in a year. The calculator adds the premiums to the expected out-of-pocket claim costs over your chosen number of years and shows which option is cheaper, plus the break-even point.
It can be if the premium savings are large compared with the extra amount you would pay on a claim and you rarely claim. You also need enough savings to cover the higher deductible without financial strain.
It is the number of claim-free years of premium savings needed to make up the extra amount you would pay on one claim with the higher deductible. If you expect to go longer than that between claims, the higher deductible tends to cost less.
In many cases a claim can raise your premium or reduce a no-claims discount at renewal. This calculator does not model that effect, so a real claim may cost more than the figures shown. Ask your insurer how claims affect your policy.