What is the normal deductible for homeowners insurance?

The standard deductible for home insurance ranges from $500 to $2,000. A $1,000 deductible is one of the most common deductible options.

Is a $2,500 deductible good for home insurance?

A $2,500 deductible can be good for home insurance if you want to have lower monthly premiums. But you need to make sure you can afford to pay $2,500 out of pocket in the event of a claim before setting a deductible this high.

Is a $1,000 deductible good for homeowners insurance?

Yes. A $1,000 deductible is a good, balanced option for your homeowners policy. It’s a reasonably manageable amount to pay out of pocket in the event of a claim, and it’ll yield you moderate monthly premiums.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1,000?

It depends on your risk level and financial situation. A $500 deductible will result in lower out-of-pocket expenses after a claim, but you’ll pay higher monthly premiums. A $1,000 deductible will lower your homeowners insurance premiums, but you’ll pay more out of pocket after a covered loss. Consider your finances and the likelihood of filing a claim when choosing your deductible amount.

Should you file a claim even if your costs don’t exceed your deductible?

No. If your repair costs don’t exceed your deductible, you shouldn’t file a claim, as your insurance coverage won’t kick in. Filing a claim can actually be harmful, as your insurer may raise your rates due to a perceived increase in risk.

How to Choose Your Home Insurance Deductible Amount

How a deductible works
Deductible amount
Deductible types
Disaster deductible
When you pay
FAQs

How a deductible works
Deductible amount
Deductible types
Disaster deductible
When you pay
FAQs

A homeowners insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your home insurance coverage takes effect after a claim. It’s important to understand your deductible amount, as it’ll affect your insurance premiums and how much you pay after a claim.

Setting a higher deductible will lower your premiums, but you’ll spend more out of pocket after a claim. Having a lower deductible results in higher premiums, but you’ll pay less out of pocket after a claim. The best option for you depends on your needs and financial situation.

Here’s what you need to know about deductibles to help you better understand your homeowners insurance policy.

How home insurance deductibles work

Your home insurance deductible is a set amount of money that you agree upon with your insurer that you’ll pay out of pocket if you file a claim. Your insurance coverage will only kick in once you’ve paid your deductible amount.

For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and sustain $5,000 in damages, you’ll pay $1,000 and your insurer will pay the remaining $4,000.

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How to select a home insurance deductible

The average home insurance deductible ranges from $500 to $2,000, but in some cases, you have the option to set your deductible as high as $5,000 or even more. In other cases, you can set your deductible as a percentage of your home’s insured value, though this is less common.^[1]

When choosing a deductible, try to find a balance between an affordable monthly premium and a deductible you can pay out of pocket without jeopardizing your budget. Consider your home’s value, what coverage you need, your budget, and what level of risk you’re comfortable with before choosing a deductible amount.

A lower deductible will mean higher monthly home insurance premiums, while a higher deductible will result in lower monthly premiums. If you’re willing to take a slight risk and opt for a higher deductible, you could save money on premiums each month. But if you want to avoid a large out-of-pocket payment, you’ll have to pay slightly higher premiums.

Deductible vs. premium

A premium is the amount you pay your insurer for your insurance coverage. You typically have to pay your premiums monthly, but you can also sometimes pay on an annual basis as well. Your chosen deductible has a direct effect on your premium amount, as it changes how much your insurer is on the hook for in the event of a claim.

Premiums and deductibles are inversely related: A high deductible reduces your premium, and a lower deductible increases your premium. With a lower deductible, your insurer will pay more of the claim, so it offsets the costs by charging you higher premiums. With a higher deductible, your insurer won’t pay as much for the claim, so it lowers your premiums.

Types of deductibles

Home insurance companies generally offer two types of deductibles: dollar-amount and percentage-based. Dollar-amount deductibles are the more common of the two. This kind of deductible is a specific dollar amount — typically between $500 and $2,000 — that you pay before your coverage kicks in. It applies to just about all home insurance claims your home insurance policy covers, such as fire or theft.

A percentage-based deductible has a set percentage of your home’s insured value. If you have a 2% deductible on a $300,000 home, your deductible amount would be $6,000. Percentage deductibles are more common in areas prone to severe weather and storms, where risks are higher and damage is more costly. If you’re unsure whether this type of deductible is right for you, talk to an insurance agent.

Learn More: How to File a Home Insurance Claim

What is a disaster deductible?

While homeowners insurance covers many perils, your regular deductible won’t apply for certain damages. For these cases, insurers offer special deductibles that pertain to specific natural disasters that can do extreme property damage, including the following:

Hurricane
Hurricane deductibles are typically percentage-based and range anywhere from 1% to 5% of your home’s insured value. These are common in hurricane-prone coastal states and any areas that see severe hurricane damage.
Wind and hail
A wind and hail deductible can be dollar-amount or percentage-based. Windstorm and hail deductibles are more common in tornado-prone areas and coastal areas that see a lot of severe storms and hail damage.
Flood
Flood deductibles are typically dollar-amount deductibles. They often accompany flood insurance policies required in some states at high risk for flooding. You can procure flood insurance through private insurers and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Earthquake
Earthquake deductibles accompany earthquake insurance policies and are typically percentage-based deductibles. They’re most common in earthquake-prone areas like California.^[2]

When do you pay your deductible?

You pay your deductible after your insurer approves your submitted claim. Paying your deductible doesn’t typically require you to write a check. Your insurance company simply subtracts your deductible amount from its claim payout.

For instance, if you have $5,000 worth of damage and your deductible is $500, your insurer will send you $4,500. Exactly when you receive your claim payment can vary, but your insurer will typically pay it by the start of repair work.

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Homeowners insurance deductible FAQs

The following information can help answer your remaining questions about how homeowners insurance deductibles work.

What is the normal deductible for homeowners insurance?
The standard deductible for home insurance ranges from $500 to $2,000. A $1,000 deductible is one of the most common deductible options.
Is a $2,500 deductible good for home insurance?
A $2,500 deductible can be good for home insurance if you want to have lower monthly premiums. But you need to make sure you can afford to pay $2,500 out of pocket in the event of a claim before setting a deductible this high.
Is a $1,000 deductible good for homeowners insurance?
Yes. A $1,000 deductible is a good, balanced option for your homeowners policy. It’s a reasonably manageable amount to pay out of pocket in the event of a claim, and it’ll yield you moderate monthly premiums.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1,000?
It depends on your risk level and financial situation. A $500 deductible will result in lower out-of-pocket expenses after a claim, but you’ll pay higher monthly premiums. A $1,000 deductible will lower your homeowners insurance premiums, but you’ll pay more out of pocket after a covered loss. Consider your finances and the likelihood of filing a claim when choosing your deductible amount.
Should you file a claim even if your costs don’t exceed your deductible?
No. If your repair costs don’t exceed your deductible, you shouldn’t file a claim, as your insurance coverage won’t kick in. Filing a claim can actually be harmful, as your insurer may raise your rates due to a perceived increase in risk.^[3]

Sources

Liberty Mutual Insurance. "Home Insurance Deductibles: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)."
Insurance Information Institute. "Understanding your insurance deductibles."
Insurance Information Institute. "How to file a homeowners claim."

Danny Smith

Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.

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Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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