Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance

When buying four-wheeler insurance, you might have come across a term called deductible. A deductible in a car insurance policy is an important factor that directly impacts your policy premium and decides how much you save in the long run. Understanding the basics of deductibles in car insurance can help you make a smarter choice while choosing your policy coverage.

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What is a Deductible in Car Insurance?

A deductible in car insurance is an amount that the insured must pay out of their pocket before the claim kicks in. For example,

If Aman files a claim worth Rs. 20,000 and his deductible is Rs. 2,000 then his insurer will deduct Rs. 2,000 from the total amount and pay him Rs. 18,000 for car damages. Aman will be liable to pay the remaining Rs. 2,000 from his pocket.

There are two types of deductibles in a car insurance policy. Let's understand both and learn the difference between the two.

Compulsory Deductible in Car Insurance

A compulsory deductible is a mandatory amount that must be paid by the insured at the time of a claim. This amount is fixed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and entirely depends upon the engine capacity of the insured four-wheeler. Here are the rates:

• Cars with engine capacity over 1500 cc: Rs. 2000
• Cars with engine capacity less than 1500 cc: Rs. 1000

Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance

A voluntary deductible in car insurance is an additional amount that you agree to pay voluntarily from your pocket when buying car insurance. If you choose a higher voluntary deductible, your car insurance premium will be lower.

Learn more about the voluntary deductible and its impact on the payable car insurance premium through the following table:

How Does Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance Work?

In a car insurance policy, voluntary deductible or voluntary excess works as follows:

• While buying or renewing motor insurance, you inform the insurer about your choice to opt for a voluntary deductible.
• The insurer then discusses the amount of your voluntary deductible.
• Your payable policy premium will be then calculated as per the finalized voluntary deductible.
• Once everything is discussed, you can buy your car insurance policy.
• When you file a claim, you pay the fixed voluntary deductible for a claim settlement.

Is Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance Beneficial?

Voluntary deductible is a great way to reduce the premium of comprehensive car insurance. However, the insured must consider some factors before opting for it. The main aim is to save money, but if the insured end up paying more than they are saving, the voluntary deductible won't serve its purpose.

Some charges, including the cost of fibre and plastic parts, go beyond the coverage as per compulsory deductible and voluntary deductible. By default, the policyholder is supposed to shoulder this amount on their own.

For example:

For instance, a person has a car of 1000 cc engine capacity and has selected a voluntary deductible of Rs. 5000. After a minor accident, the repair charges amount to Rs. 15,000. In such a scenario, the insurance company will make the claim/reimbursement payment by the following calculations:

Since the vehicle owner opted for a voluntary deductible worth Rs. 5,000, out of the total claim amount of Rs. 15,000, the insurer is only liable to pay Rs. 6,000.

Difference Between Compulsory Deductible and Voluntary Deductible

Here is the difference between the compulsory deductible and voluntary deductible in car insurance:

When Should You Opt for a Higher Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance?

A voluntary deductible allows an insurer to buy cheaper car insurance due to discounted premiums. You should opt for a higher voluntary deductible in car insurance if you are:

An Excellent Driver

If you have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record, the chances of you getting involved in an accident are lower. Thus, in this case, choosing a higher voluntary deductible in your car insurance policy will be beneficial, as the probability of raising a claim is significantly reduced.

Not Living in an Accident-Prone Area

If you live in an area where there is less traffic and accidents are rare, the chances of you raising a claim are again lower. In this scenario too, you can opt for a higher voluntary deductible in your four-wheeler insurance.

Common Misconceptions About Voluntary Deductible in Car Insurance

Here are a few misunderstandings about a voluntary deductible in a car insurance policy:

Additional Cost

Some might consider a voluntary deductible an extra cost to the car insurance premium. However, it is optional, and you can choose not to opt for it.

Unnecessary Expense

Choosing a higher voluntary deductible in car insurance is sometimes considered an unnecessary expense. However, you can significantly reduce your policy premium and achieve long-term savings. Also, you only pay this amount when you make a claim.

Same as No-Claim Bonus (NCB)

Some people might confuse a voluntary deductible with a no claim bonus in car insurance. When you do not file a claim in your policy, your insurer rewards you with an NCB, which is a discount on your renewal premium. On the other hand, the voluntary deductible is allowed only once, i.e., when you buy the policy.

Voluntary Deductible vs. Co-Payment

A voluntary deductible in car insurance is decided upon during policy inception, and you pay this amount first when you raise a claim. After this only the insurer settles the remaining claim amount.

While in the case of co-payment, the final claim amount is shared between you and the insurer based on the agreed percentage mentioned in your car insurance policy.

No Compulsory Deductible With Voluntary Deductible

Whether you opt for a voluntary deductible in your car insurance or not, paying the compulsory deductible is a must at the time of a claim.