The amount you pay out of pocket before insurance starts covering a claim.
An insurance deductible is what you must pay yourself before coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles lower your premium but expose you to more upfront cost when you file a claim. With health plans, the deductible works alongside an out-of-pocket maximum that caps your total yearly spending.
With a $2,000 deductible, you cover the first $2,000 of costs before insurance pays.