[mikeash]

Typical deductibles are $500-1000. It's nearly impossible to cause more than zero but less than $500 in damage to a modern car. Those little fender benders generally have price tags similar to what you'd pay for oral surgery.

[AnthonyMouse]

Sure, but the little fender benders aren't what the insurance is for.

You can save a bit of money on car insurance by having a $5000 deductible, because the average claim amount is <$3500 but you'll save more than the difference in insurance premiums over the years with the higher deductible.

[mikeash]

Given that most people don't take a $5,000 deductible, your notion of what insurance is for seems to be at odds with both insurance buyers and insurance sellers.

[AnthonyMouse]

The insurance sellers know what they're doing. The lower your deductible is the higher the premiums they can charge and higher premiums means more vig.