Is it possible to not have a deductible for car insurance?

Asked by: Clementine Christiansen  |  Last update: March 27, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (39 votes)

Having zero-deductible car insurance means you selected coverage options that don't require you to pay any amount up front toward a covered claim. For example, say you opted for collision coverage with no deductible. If you have a covered claim for $1,500 in repairs, your insurer would reimburse you the full $1,500.

What happens if I don't have a deductible?

Impact on finances: Choosing a no-deductible plan means you'll pay more each month, but you'll be protected from some large medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. In contrast, high-deductible plans can help you lower your monthly bills, but major medical problems could result in large out-of-pocket expenses.

Is a $0 deductible good for car insurance?

Comments Section $0 deductible is very uncommon and you pay a lot to have it that low. Most would be $500 or greater to strike the balance. $0 deductible implies you want insurance to pay for every small thing. That costs them money. $500 deductible implies you'll only use insurance when a major issue happens.

How to get car insurance deductible waived?

Fault determination: Most insurers require you to be not at fault for the accident. Some auto companies may require you to be 100 percent fault-free to have the deductible waived, while others may waive a percent of your deductible based on your percentage of fault.

Does every car insurance have a deductible?

The amount of the loss that you must pay before your insurance company pays anything. Only comprehensive and collision coverage have deductibles.

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

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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.

Do all insurance plans have a deductible?

Some insurance policies, such as liability insurance, may not have a deductible at all. Others, such as homeowners or auto insurance, may have a higher deductible in exchange for lower premiums. It's important to note that deductibles only apply to covered expenses.

Is waiving deductibles illegal?

Deductibles. It is illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, or discount your insurance deductible. It is insurance fraud if homeowners don't pay their deductible. Some contractors offer waived or discounted deductibles as a selling point to their customers.

Can I negotiate deductible?

Negotiate a Payment Plan

Your healthcare provider can't waive or discount your deductible because that would violate the rules of your health plan. But they may be willing to allow you to pay the deductible you owe over time.

What is the lowest deductible for car insurance?

In general, car insurance policies offer a choice of deductibles, like $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000. Please note, these may vary by company.

What happens if you can't afford car insurance deductible?

In any situation where you have to pay your car insurance deductible up front, you will need to dip into savings, ask family for help or take out a payday loan. These loans are truly the last resort option because they have very high interest rates.

Is it better not to have a deductible?

It depends on your health needs and your budget. If you and your covered family members are in good health and don't often see a doctor, a high-deductible plan may be a better option. But if you think you or your family members may need to seek medical care often, a low-deductible plan may be the best fit.

Do you have to pay a deductible if someone hits your parked car?

With both collision and uninsured motorist property damage coverage, you may be responsible for paying a deductible before your insurance provider will help pay for the damage. Your coverage will also be subject to your policy limits, which is the maximum amount your insurance will pay for a covered claim.

Is it better to have no deductible for car insurance?

Your car insurance company pays for the full cost of your medical bills and auto repairs if you have a zero-deductible plan. While you will pay a high premium for this type of coverage, you avoid the possibility of an unexpected cost if you do have an accident.

Is deductible mandatory?

Depending on your policy, and the types of coverages you have, a deductible may be required. With an auto insurance policy, coverages like comprehensive and collision may require a deductible before said coverages apply in the event of a covered incident.

Are there insurance plans with no deductible?

No-deductible health plans can be found on the ACA marketplace or through your employer, but they aren't very common. You're more likely to come across high-deductible plans with lower premiums.

Can insurance deductible be waived?

The California Insurance Code requires insurers to offer a Waiver of Collision Deductible if you carry Collision Coverage on any of your motor vehicles and if you carry Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage.

Can I pay my car insurance deductible with a credit card?

In some cases, you may have to pay the deductible directly to your insurance company. If your insurer takes credit card payments for your premiums, they may accept a credit card payment for a deductible as well.

Is it legal to self pay when you have insurance?

Now that you know that it is legal to self-pay when you have insurance, here are a few situations where it may make sense to directly pay for the medical procedure or service without filing a claim with your provider.

Is having no deductible a good thing?

Zero-deductible plans, which are most commonly platinum, may appeal to some consumers. If you visit doctors or specialists frequently, or have a chronic illness that requires several medications, health insurance with no deductible or no copay could help you spread your medical costs over the year.

What happens if I don't use my insurance money to fix my roof?

If you don't complete repairs or a replacement, however, your insurance provider will likely just decide to no longer cover your roof. This means if another storm deals further damage, you won't be covered and will have to pay for the replacement out of pocket.

Can a provider waive a deductible?

Such rates and fee schedules are the result of extensive negotiations and are based on a number of factors. Despite the existence of such contractual arrangements, healthcare providers sometimes waive patient copays, coinsurance and deductibles (generally referred to as a “waiver” or “waivers” in this article).

What does it mean if my insurance doesn t have a deductible?

Having zero-deductible car insurance means you selected coverage options that don't require you to pay any amount up front toward a covered claim.

Do I pay my deductible before or after my car is fixed?

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. Uninsured motorist coverage.

Will insurance pay if deductible is not met?

(For example, if your deductible is $1,000, your plan won't pay anything until you've met your $1,000 deductible for covered health care services subject to the deductible.)