Discover

In an insurance policy, the 'deductible' or 'excess' is the portion of any claim that is not covered by the insurance provider. It is normally quoted as a fixed amount and is a part of most policies covering losses to the policy holder. The deductible must be "met", that is, paid by the insured, before the benefits of the policy can apply.
In a typical automobile insurance policy, a deductible will apply to claims arising from damage to or loss of the policy holder's own vehicle, whether this damage/loss is caused by accidents for which the holder is responsible, vandalism or theft. Third-party liability coverage generally has no deductible, since the third party will likely attempt to recover any loss, however small, for which the policy holder is liable.
Most health insurance policies and some travel insurance policies have deductibles as well. Typically, a general rule is: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and vice versa. The type of health insurance deductibles can also vary, as individual amounts and family amounts. Major medical insurance policies are known for often having a deductible which does not cover the cost of routine visits (e.g., to a doctor's office).
For example, a person might have an auto insurance policy with a $500 deductible on collision coverage. If this person were in an accident that did $800 worth of damage to the car, then the insurance company would pay him or her $300. The insured is responsible for the first $500 of damage (the deductible), and the insurance company pays the balance.
There are also deductible reimbursement programs that reimburse a deductible in the event of an auto, home, or health insurance claim.