What is an insurance deductible?

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts paying a claim. Choosing a higher deductible — say $1,000 instead of $500 — lowers your premium, often by 10-20%. The key is picking a deductible you could comfortably pay from savings if you had to file a claim tomorrow.

How can I lower my insurance premiums?

The most reliable ways to save: compare quotes from at least three insurers every year or two, bundle auto and home policies for a multi-policy discount, raise your deductibles, maintain good credit in states where it is allowed as a rating factor, and ask about discounts you may already qualify for — safe driver, security systems, paperless billing and pay-in-full.