Do I have to pay my insurance deductible if someone hits me?

Asked by: Shyanne Mitchell  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

You do not have to pay a deductible if someone hits your parked car, that person is identified, and they have property damage liability insurance. If you file a claim with your own collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage after someone hits your car, then you will likely have to pay a deductible.

Do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me?

You do not have to pay a car insurance deductible if you are not at fault in a car accident. The at-fault driver's liability insurance will usually cover your expenses after an accident, but you may want to use your own coverage, in which case you will likely have to pay a deductible.

How does insurance work when someone hits you?

Collision coverage typically helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's hit by another vehicle (or if you hit another vehicle or object), regardless of who is at fault. Even if you cannot find the other driver, you may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy's collision coverage.

Do you have to pay deductible when you are not at fault?

When you're not at fault for a car accident, claims typically fall under the Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage on your insurance policy. ... This means that if you're not at fault and DCPD coverage applies, the damage will be completely covered by your insurer and you won't have to pay a deductible.

Who is responsible for the deductible in an accident?

You're responsible for your policy's stated deductible every time you file a claim. After you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Example: You have a $500 deductible and $3,000 in damage from a covered accident.

Do you have to pay your deductible if you’re not at fault

22 related questions found

How does insurance work if someone hits your car?

If someone hits your car and you do have collision coverage, then your insurance company can help pay for repairs. Collision coverage will also cover damage to your car if you caused the accident, or if there were no other drivers involved, like if you drove into a telephone pole.

Do I have to pay my deductible to fix someone else's car?

What if I hit another car? If you hit a car and are found at fault, you won't have to pay a deductible for your insurance to cover the other driver's damage. ... You only pay a deductible if you're at fault and need repairs to your own car.

Can a deductible be waived?

Deductibles can be waived in some circumstances (depending on which state) such as being less than 50% at-fault, claiming for glass repair or having uninsured motorist property damage coverage. As a general rule, it's good to be wary of auto body shops that offer to waive a deductible.

How do I make an insurance claim if not at fault?

How to make a not-at-fault claim on your car insurance policy. You'll need to provide details of the other driver involved when making your claim – check with your insurer exactly what details are required. Claims are commonly lodged online over the phone or by filling out a form.

What happens if an accident is not your fault?

If you weren't at fault in an accident, you also have the choice to file a claim with the other driver's insurance company, called a third-party claim. In a third-party claim, the other insurance company will pay for your car repairs once it determines their driver was at at-fault.

What happens if someone hits your car and leaves?

What if someone hits my parked car and leaves? If someone hits your parked car and leaves the scene, the accident could be considered a hit-and-run. This is a crime, and you should contact the police to file a report. The police might also be able to help you identify who hit your car.

What should I do if someone hits me?

Call 911

Even in minor accidents, you should still call 911. Calling the emergency line will notify the police to investigate the scene. As mentioned earlier, the police officer will complete a police report detailing the scene of the accident.

How long after an accident do you have to file a claim?

Car accident claim time limit: Car accidents and road traffic accidents in general have a three-year limit from the date of the accident. If you were left incapacitated and unable to claim for some time after your accident, you would have a three-year limit from the date of recovery.

Do I have to pay a deductible if someone hit me Geico?

Collision coverage helps pay for the cost of repairs to your vehicle if it's hit by another vehicle. It may also help with the cost of repairs if you hit another vehicle or object. That means you can use it whether you're at fault or not. ... You will be responsible for paying your selected deductible.

Can I sue an uninsured motorist for my deductible?

You can sue, but are better off waiting until your insurance company and the other one figure it out. ... If you just sue for deductible you will waive all other damages.

Do at fault drivers pay deductible?

Typically, the at-fault driver's insurance company will pay your deductible. After the collision, the at-fault driver's insurance company will estimate the amount of damage to your car.

Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault?

Yes, you should call your insurance company if you were in a car accident that was not your fault. ... First, your insurance company may require you to contact them as outlined in your policy. Second, you may discover available coverage to help you with your damages, even if the accident is not your fault.

What happens if you cant pay your deductible?

If you can't pay your car insurance deductible, you won't be able to file a car insurance claim to have vehicle damage or medical bills paid for by your insurance company. Instead, you will need to set up a payment plan with a mechanic, take out a loan, or save up until you can afford the deductible.

Do you have to pay your deductible?

The answer to when you pay is relatively simple. You have to pay a deductible any time you make a claim for your car insurance. ... The deductible is an agreed-upon amount that you have to pay out of pocket whenever you make an insurance claim before the insurer will cover the cost of damages.

Can you change deductible after accident?

Once your claim is submitted and closed, you can change your deductible or shop around for a better policy to ensure this doesn't happen in the future.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance?

If a friend or a family member has an accident and isn't insured, then you will have to use your insurance. Unless you have expressly denied that driver permission to use your vehicle.

Does my car insurance cover me in another car?

Does My Car Insurance Cover Me When Driving Another Vehicle? If you're specifically listed on the car owner's insurance policy, you'll be covered when driving that car – even if it's not your own. ... Renting a car from a rental car company or the car-sharing marketplace.

Do you need insurance to drive someone else's car?

You do not need your own car insurance policy to drive someone else's car every once in a while. However, if you frequently drive someone else's car, you might want to consider getting non-owner car insurance.

What can you do if someone damages your car on purpose?

Get a Police Report

Intentional damage to your vehicle by another individual is serious and needs to be correctly documented by the police. You should always call the police if you experience car vandalism. A report is necessary for a claim, and there might be more going on than the incident with your car.

How long does it take for insurance to pay out after accident?

Once an insurance company has admitted liability and agreed to process the claim, they tend to move quickly. Some claimants receive their compensation in a few days. More commonly, the claimant will receive their compensation payment within 2 and 4 weeks.