Do you pay deductible when not at fault?

Asked by: Jennifer Denesik  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (72 votes)

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.

Why do I have to pay a deductible if I was 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.

Do you have to pay deductible if someone hits you?

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. ... But if the accident is a hit-and-run, you can use your collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage to pay for the damage.

How does insurance work when you're not at fault?

When you are not at fault in an accident, the other driver's car insurance typically pays for your expenses. If it takes a while to determine fault, you can file a collision claim with your insurer, which will then try to recover the cost of the claim and your deductible from the at-fault driver's insurer.

Should I file a claim with my insurance if Im not at fault?

You should file a claim with the other driver's auto insurance company if you are not at fault for the accident and you have standard liability insurance but no collision coverage. ... That means your liability insurance won't be involved if you are not at fault. The other driver's liability policy would cover the damage.

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

38 related questions found

What should you not say to your insurance company after an accident?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.

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.

Do you pay deductible before or after car is fixed?

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 I pay a deductible if I hit a 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.

Does my insurance go up if someone hits me?

Naturally, most injured victims that contact our firm want to know about the financial consequences of the collision. A common question that potential clients ask us when they call is whether their car insurance rates will increase as a result of the collision – even if they weren't at fault. The answer: no.

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.

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

A $1,000 deductible is better than a $500 deductible if you can afford the increased out-of-pocket cost in the event of an accident, because a higher deductible means you'll pay lower premiums. Choosing an insurance deductible depends on the size of your emergency fund and how much you can afford for monthly premiums.

Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault ICBC?

You will have to pay a deductible - the amount you have to pay toward repairs before your insurance pays for the rest. If you don't have Collision coverage, from ICBC or another insurance provider, you're not covered for these costs if you're found responsible for a crash.

How can I avoid paying my car insurance deductible?

If an insured driver hits you, you do not need to pay a deductible since the other driver's insurance will cover the damage. But if you ever need to file a claim with your insurance company, you will be responsible for paying the deductible. The only way to avoid paying one is by not filing a claim.

What should I do if someone hit my car?

Steps to Take at the Scene
  1. Call the police. An officer will document the incident and create an official accident report, which you will typically need to have when filing your claim with your insurance company, says the Insurance Information Institute (III). ...
  2. Document the accident. ...
  3. Notify your insurer.

What to do if someone hits your car and drives off?

Here's what to do:
  1. Stop your car immediately.
  2. Provide your name, address, phone number, driver's license number, vehicle registration, and insurance policy information to the other driver. If you're driving a car that doesn't belong to you, you must also provide the name and address of its owner.
  3. Get a police report.

What if damage is less than deductible?

If your car repairs are less than your $500 deductible, you won't be able to file a claim. You should cover any repairs close to your deductible amount, as they're considered small repairs. It's unwise to file a claim for a minor accident.

Why is my deductible so high for car insurance?

Expensive vehicles cost more to insure. In this case, a high deductible might make sense because you would have higher savings on your premiums. ... For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and your used car needs a total repair of only $600, you would pay that entire amount out of pocket.

Is a 2000 deductible good for car insurance?

When you choose a higher deductible for your policy, you will pay a lower premium for coverage. WalletHub notes that you can save about 6 percent by choosing a $2000 deductible instead of a $1000 deductible, which may or may not make sense depending on the price of your policy.

How do deductibles work?

A deductible is the amount you pay for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay. How it works: If your plan's deductible is $1,500, you'll pay 100 percent of eligible health care expenses until the bills total $1,500. After that, you share the cost with your plan by paying coinsurance.

What if I change my deductible before filing a claim?

Changing your comprehensive coverage and collision coverage deductible, or changing insurance policies to get better coverage prior to submitting a claim, is considered insurance fraud.

Why has my insurance gone up after accident not my fault?

In many cases, your premiums will go up after you've declared a non-fault claim to your insurance provider. This is because certain circumstances surrounding the accident, even if it wasn't your fault, may lead to more accidents in the future.

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.

Should I tell my insurance company about a minor accident?

Insurance Disclosure

But if the accident does not result in major damage or injuries, you might wonder, “Should I call my insurance company after a minor accident?” The short answer is yes — it is always a good idea to let your insurance company know when you have been involved in a collision.

How does ICBC deductible work?

After purchasing either collision or comprehensive insurance, a deductible must be chosen. ... Your ICBC deductible is the amount that must be remitted to ICBC before insurance will take over and pay for any repairs or replacements on a vehicle that is need of repair.