A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services or losses before your insurance company begins to pay. It is a common feature in many types of insurance, including health, auto, and home policies.

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Insurance

Deductible

Definition

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services or losses before your insurance company begins to pay. It is a common feature in many types of insurance, including health, auto, and home policies.

Example

If your health insurance policy has a $1,000 deductible, you must pay the first $1,000 of your medical bills yourself before your insurer starts covering subsequent costs.

Key Points

  • 1Amount paid by the insured before coverage kicks in.
  • 2Higher deductibles generally lead to lower premiums.
  • 3Applies per claim or per policy period, depending on the type of insurance.
  • 4A way for insurers to share risk with policyholders.