Homeowners Deductible Tradeoff

Annual savings × years until deductible jump pays back.

Inputs

Result

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter both quote scenarios.
  • See payback period.

About this calculator

Higher deductible = lower premium. Pays off if you go ~5+ years between claims (typical homeowner average). For low-claim discipline + healthy emergency fund: take $5k+ deductible, save $300-500/yr. For year-to-year cash-poor or disaster-prone areas: keep $1k-2.5k. Most insurers separate hurricane/wind deductibles (1-5% of dwelling) from regular peril deductibles.

Frequently asked

Average claim frequency?+
Homeowner: ~1 claim per 10-15 years. Most years: zero. So higher deductible usually pays.
Disaster deductibles?+
Wind/hurricane: 1-5% of dwelling (separate from regular). Earthquake: 10-15%.
Effect on claim filing?+
High deductible → don't file small claims (paint touch-ups, minor leaks) — insurer keeps the file.
Multiple claims?+
Two+ claims in 3 years: insurer may non-renew. High deductible naturally limits this.
Discounts?+
Bundling, security system, no-claim history. Combine with high deductible for cheapest rate.

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