Do you get reimbursed for insurance deductible?

Asked by: Garfield Sawayn  |  Last update: September 10, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (40 votes)

Your insurance company will pay for your damages, minus your deductible. Don't worry — if the claim is settled and it's determined you weren't at fault for the accident, you'll get your deductible back.

Does a deductible get reimbursed?

Yes, if you have to pay your deductible and you were not at fault, you may be able to get it back from the at-fault driver's insurance company. This is called subrogation. Your insurance company will pursue the at-fault driver's insurance company to recover the money paid for the damages, including your deductible.

Why am I getting my deductible back?

When you have a claim, your deductible is your portion. IF there is an identifiable person who is at fault, you get your deductible back. But in this case, where a car is broken into, there is nobody to recover the funds from which is why you wouldn't get it back, and why fighting over it would be fruitless.

Is it better to have a $500 or $1000 deductible?

Generally speaking, yes, a higher deductible is the better choice long term. Especially if you have a good driving history.

How do deductibles and reimbursement work?

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.

Car Insurance Deductible- Why Do I Have To Pay My Deductible If The Accident Wasn't My Fault?

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How long does it take for insurance to reimburse deductible?

The time needed for recovery varies with each claim and could take up to one year or longer. What do I need to do during the deductible recovery process? Your claim handler will contact you if there's any additional information we need from you.

Who pays the deductible me or the insurance company?

Policyholders will generally pay the deductible before comprehensive coverage kicks in. Liability insurance. Liability coverage, which is required in California, doesn't involve deductibles but covers damages the policyholder causes to other vehicles, drivers, or property.

What is a disadvantage of having a high deductible?

Cons of High Deductible Healthcare Plans

Individuals who are stretched thin for funds may delay or avoid seeking medical treatment due to the high cost of treatment. For example, someone injured may avoid the emergency room if they know it will result in an expensive bill that will be applied to the plan deductible.

Do you have to pay health insurance deductible upfront?

They can certainly ask for it, and patients have the option to pay some or all of their deductible upfront. But your health plan likely prohibits in-network medical providers from denying care if you can't or don't want to pay your deductible ahead of time.

Do I pay my deductible to the Body Shop?

You typically pay your car insurance deductible after your car is fixed. Depending on your insurer and the situation, your insurer may pay the repair shop directly, minus your deductible — if that's the case, you'll need to pay the repair shop your deductible.

Does your insurance pay if you are not at fault?

Who pays in a no-fault accident? If there's an accident between two drivers, each party's PIP coverage typically pays for their respective medical bills and/or wage loss up to their policies' limits, no matter who caused the accident.

What happens after you pay your deductible?

A: Once you've met your deductible, you usually pay only a copay and/or coinsurance for covered services. Coinsurance is when your plan pays a large percentage of the cost of care and you pay the rest. For example, if your coinsurance is 80/20, you'll only pay 20 percent of the costs when you need care.

Why did my insurance waive my deductible?

In some cases, the deductible may be waived because the service is already free or at a low cost under your plan. This is often the case with preventive services. For example, an annual wellness visit may only cost you $20, but that $20 might not count toward your deductible.

Are deductibles returned?

Your insurer may choose to attempt to get reimbursement from the at-fault party after the initial claim is finalized via subrogation. If subrogation is successful and they do get that reimbursement, they'll refund your deductible. Subrogation can take months and months.

Can the color of your car affect your insurance premium?

Does car color affect insurance rates? The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates.

Where does deductible money go?

A deductible is the amount of money that you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss. When a disaster strikes your home or you have a car accident, the deductible is subtracted, or "deducted," from what your insurance pays toward a claim.

How do insurance deductibles work?

For example, if you have a health insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible and you receive a medical bill for $2,000, you would be responsible for paying the first $1,000 and your insurance would cover the remaining $1,000.

What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?

In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.

What happens if I go to the ER without insurance?

Despite the financial hurdles, uninsured emergency patients are provided with legal safeguards. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Why is it not a great idea to have a high deductible?

Large medical expenses: Since HDHPs generally only cover preventive care, an accident or emergency could result in very high out-of-pocket costs. Future health risks: Because of the costs, you may refrain from visiting a physician, getting treatments, or purchasing prescriptions when they're not covered by your HDHP.

How high is too high deductible?

In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

Why do employers like high deductible health plans?

Some employers offer an HDHP option because it is less expensive for the employer and because the higher patient cost sharing hypothetically incentivizes enrollees to shop around and make more discerning choices about their health care utilization.

Will my deductible be reimbursed?

Your insurance company will pay for your damages, minus your deductible. Don't worry — if the claim is settled and it's determined you weren't at fault for the accident, you'll get your deductible back. The involved insurance companies determine who's at fault.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

Why do I have to pay a deductible if it's not my fault?

Insurance companies collect deductibles every time they settle a claim, so they don't care who was at fault. You would not be at fault if your car was stolen from a secure facility, but you would still pay a deductible if you filed an insurance claim.