Which of the following best describes a "deductible" in insurance?

A deductible in insurance refers to the specific amount that a policyholder is required to pay out of pocket before their insurance coverage will begin to pay for a claim. This mechanism serves to share the financial responsibility between the insurer and the insured.

By having a deductible, policyholders are encouraged to carefully consider the claims they make, as they must bear a portion of the costs themselves. This can help reduce the number of small claims and the overall administrative burden on the insurance company.

In practical terms, if a policyholder has a deductible of $500 and they incur a loss of $2,000, they would first pay the $500 themselves, and then the insurer would cover the remaining $1,500. This arrangement allows insurers to manage risks more effectively and contribute to lower premium costs for policyholders, as they are incentivized to manage smaller claims independently.