Car insurance deductible
When you buy car insurance, you almost always have to deal with the deductible in the event of a claim. This is the amount you must pay yourself before the insurer will reimburse the rest. The deductible is between €135 and €250.
What is the deductible in car insurance
A car insurance deductible is the amount you first pay yourself if you have damage. Only then does the insurer pay the rest. This amount usually applies per claim and depends on what is stated in your policy. If you choose a higher deductible, you will pay less premium, but you will have to pay more yourself in case of damage.
The deductible depends on car insurance and coverage
How much deductible you have depends on the type of insurance and the insurer. With third-party insurance, you usually have no deductible. With limited casco or all-risk insurance, the excess is usually between €135 and €250. A different amount may apply for glass breakage.
Some insurers also offer the option of adjusting the deductible, which can affect the amount of the premium.
With third-party car insurance, you usually do not have a deductible because damage to your own car is not insured. Sometimes the insurer may still ask for an excess in certain situations.
Increasing or buying out the deductible
You largely determine how high your deductible is. Usually insurers use a standard deductible that is often between €135 and €250.
Do you choose to set the deductible higher? Then you will pay less premium each month. You do take a risk with this, since you obviously don't know in advance whether you are going to damage a car.
You can sometimes drop the deductible. Then the insurer pays the entire claim amount. You pay a higher premium per month for this, but you do not have to pay a deductible in case of damage. Usually this is only possible with car insurances with all-risk coverage.
Car insurance with no deductible
An increasing number of insurers offer car insurance without a deductible. In this case, the insurer will reimburse you for the full amount of the claim. Of course, this is offset by higher insurance premiums.
If you have a high no-claims discount it may be smart to choose a car insurance policy with no deductible. Because of the high no-claim discount, you already get a lot of discount on your premium. As a result, you pay less each month, and it can then be convenient to pay a little more so you don't have a deductible.
There is no deductible for damage to others
For so-called liability coverage, insurers do not charge a deductible. These are claims on the WA car insurance. Is your car more broadly insured and do you also claim damage to your own car from the insurer? Then you usually do pay an excess.
Compare car insurance with no deductible
Paying deductible for windshield damage
How much you have to pay for windshield damage depends on your insurer. However, there are a few rules that are the same with most insurers. If your car window needs to be replaced, you will usually pay around €150. Do you have the repair done at a company your insurer works with? Then you often pay only half.
Some insurers charge a higher deductible for windshield damage. If you go to an affiliated repairer, you usually get a discount. Is the window only repaired and not replaced? Then you often do not have to pay a deductible.
Calculation example of the cost of your deductible in case of damage
Have you been in an accident and want to file a claim? Exactly what you pay depends on the damage, the compensation the deductible.
Is it not your own fault? Then the other party must pay for the damage. We call this recovery damages. In that case, you get your own contribution compensated. This is because it is paid by the liable party for the damage.
| Minor damage with all-risk | Major damage, deductible waiver | Windscreen damage, non-affiliated repair company | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage amount | €600 | €2.500 | €350 |
| Own risk | €150 | €0 (redeemed) | €150 |
| Reimbursement insurer | €450 | €2.500 | €200 |
| Your own costs | €150 | €0 | €150 |
Youth deductible
Young people under 24 usually pay a higher deductible if they drive their parents' car. Do you drive your own car? Then you don't pay a higher deductible.
Excess with a leased car
For leased cars, the amount of the excess is included in the contract. When entering into such a contract, therefore, pay close attention to the arrangement in case of damage. How much deductible will you be charged? The amount of the deductible in case of damage varies per provider.
Comparing auto insurance also means considering your deductible
Want to compare car insurance? Then don't just look at the price. The amount you have to pay yourself in case of damage is also important when choosing car insurance. If you pay attention to this, you will avoid nasty surprises when you have damage.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance deductibles
What does deductible mean in car insurance?
The deductible is the amount you pay yourself in the event of a claim before your insurer pays out.
Can I choose my own deductible?
Yes, many insurers allow you to choose a higher or lower deductible, which affects your premium.
Is there a car insurance policy with no deductible?
Yes, some insurers offer this, usually with all-risk coverage. The premium will be higher, though.
Does deductible also apply with third-party insurance?
Usually not, because damage to your own car is not insured under WA. Check the policy conditions to see if this is true in your situation.
What happens in the event of windshield damage?
When repaired through an affiliated repairer, you often pay no or less deductible. With replacement, however, you usually pay a contribution.
How does the deductible work with leasing?
This is agreed upon in advance in the lease contract and can vary from provider to provider.
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