Part of the reason to buy insurance is to have a way to pay for dumb mistakes. That includes people who have homes in flood plains or in tornado zones or in areas subject to wildfires or hurricanes. It includes people who have guns in the house that get picked up by children and someone dies. It includes people who burn their house down when they fall asleep while smoking. It includes people who get struck by lightning because they were trying to get on higher ground to get better cell reception. It even includes people who are obese and have as a result have diabetes and stroke or heart disease.
The deductible is to prevent people from filing claims for small mistakes that cost a lot for the insurance companies to process the paperwork. If it is more than the deductable then your friend should file the claim.
