What does the term "deductible" mean in the context of insurance claims?

In the context of insurance claims, the term "deductible" refers to the amount that a policyholder must pay out of pocket before the insurer will cover the remaining costs associated with a claim. This means that when an insured event occurs, the insured party is responsible for paying this specified amount, while the insurer takes over the financial responsibility for costs exceeding that deductible. This mechanism serves multiple purposes, including incentivizing policyholders to manage small claims themselves and helping to lower insurance premiums, as a higher deductible generally correlates with lower premium costs.

The other options are related to insurance but do not capture the specific definition of a deductible. The total claim amount assessed by an adjuster (which indicates the overall value of damages covered after adjustments) is separate from what the policyholder must initially pay. The cost of the policy pertains to the premium paid for coverage, not the deductible amount. Lastly, the maximum payable amount in a claim refers to the coverage limit of the policy, which is also distinct from the out-of-pocket payment obligation implied by the deductible.