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Claim Deductible Break-Even Calculator

Higher insurance deductibles trade lower premiums for higher per-claim out-of-pocket. The break-even claim count tells you how many claims you can absorb before the higher-deductible policy is worse than the lower-deductible alternative. This calculator computes both the break-even and the multi-year premium savings.

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Premium savings (10 yr)

$6,000

Break-even # of claims

6.7

How many claims before high-deductible is worse

Annual premium savings

$600

Extra deductible per claim

$4,000

How the math works

Higher deductible = lower premium. Break-even = extra deductible per claim ÷ annual premium savings. If you average fewer claims per period than break-even, the higher-deductible policy wins.

Most properties get 1 claim per 10-30 years. High deductible is usually the right choice for property and auto insurance unless cash flow can't absorb the deductible.

How to Use

  1. Enter low deductible option and corresponding premium.
  2. Enter high deductible option and corresponding premium.
  3. Enter analysis horizon.
  4. Read break-even claim count and total premium savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical property claim frequency?

Homeowner: 1 claim per 10-15 years. Commercial: 1 per 5-10 years (higher exposure). Most owners benefit from raising deductible to $5K+ if they can absorb it.

Liability vs property deductible?

Property deductibles common $500-10K. Liability typically zero deductible (insurer defends from dollar one). Discussion mainly applies to property/comprehensive.

What about claim history impact?

Frequent small claims can spike premium 30-100% on renewal or trigger non-renewal. Self-paying small losses (under deductible) protects loss ratio.

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