Why do I have to pay a deductible if someone else hit me?
Asked by: Anjali Bayer | Last update: December 22, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (5 votes)
Why do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me?
Your deductible is owed regardless of fault. It's purpose is to deter insureds from filing a claim for anything and everything under the sun and doesn't take liability/negligence into consideration.
How to avoid paying deductible?
- Choose not to file a claim until you have the money.
- Check your policy, as you may not have to pay up front.
- Work out a deal with your mechanic.
- Get a loan.
Do I have to pay my deductible if the accident wasn't my fault state farm?
Your deductible is due to the repair shop once repairs are completed. If the other party is found to be at fault for the accident, we'll begin the deductible recovery process to reimburse you for the amount you paid for your loss.
Do you have to pay a deductible if someone hits your parked car?
Yes, you must pay your deductible. Fault has no bearing whatsoever on your deductible. It is simply the portion of the risk that you agreed to retain.
Car Insurance Deductible- Why Do I Have To Pay My Deductible If The Accident Wasn't My Fault?
How does insurance work if someone hits your car?
If someone on the street hits or sideswipes your parked car and you can prove who caused the damage, their insurance should cover you. If you don't know or can't prove who hit your car but have collision or UMPD coverage, your insurance should cover the damages.
Who is responsible for car insurance deductible?
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.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault AAA?
For collision claims, the deductible generally applies. In most markets, when you're not at fault for an accident, we can waive the deductible if we can identify the other party, that they're at fault, and their insurance carrier confirms they have valid liability coverage for the accident.
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 you need a police report to file an insurance claim hit and run?
If no one was injured in the accident and property damage is minor: You have no legal obligation to report the accident to the police under California law. However, filing a police report is still in your best interest if you plan to file an insurance claim for any property damage sustained in the collision.
Will I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault?
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.
What happens if I can't afford to pay my deductible?
If you can't pay your auto or home insurance deductible, you won't be able to file a claim and get your repairs covered.
How to get a roof replaced without paying the deductible?
No matter what you hear or what a roofing company says, you must pay your deductible for your insurance roof replacement once your claim is approved. Trying to avoid this leads to one of the biggest scams in the roofing industry. You'll hear some roofing companies offering to pay deductibles, but this is illegal.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault with Allstate?
Will I have to pay my deductible if I'm not at fault? It's possible, but we will do our best to recover the amount paid from the person responsible, including your deductible.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault with Geico?
Let's say your vehicle is damaged due to another driver's negligence. Once GEICO settles your claim, we'll likely seek to recover your deductible, as well as the amount we paid, from the negligent party or that party's insurance company.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault with mercury?
Deductibles and Compensation for Repairs
If another driver is found responsible for the accident, Mercury Insurance may attempt to recover the repair costs from that driver's insurance provider. In such cases, your deductible may be reimbursed once the other party's insurer has compensated Mercury Insurance.
Do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me?
The purpose of the deductible is to share financial responsibility between the insured and the insurance company. It also discourages filing small or frivolous claims. You may have to pay your deductible if someone hits you—even if you're not at fault.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault progressive?
If a driver hits you, your collision coverage will still cover the damage to your vehicle, but you won't have to pay your deductible. In some states, the driver must also be uninsured for a CDW to apply.
What happens if my repairs cost less than the deductible?
What if my car repair costs less than my deductible? There may be times when your car insurance deductible is more than the cost of the damage to your vehicle. Unfortunately, in these cases, you'll need to pay for all repairs out-of-pocket. This is because insurance only pays for damages that are above your deductible.
Why do I have to pay a deductible if its 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.
Does AAA have accident forgiveness?
Accident forgiveness is an add-on that protects you from insurance rate hikes the first time you're responsible for causing an accident. New car replacement coverage is optional insurance that will replace your late model car with the most recent model if your vehicle is damaged beyond repair in an accident.
Do I have to pay my deductible if my car is totaled?
Do I need to pay my deductible when my vehicle is totaled? In most cases your deductible will be taken from your claim's payout amount. So, you likely won't have to submit a payment for your deductible. It will just be deducted from the payment you receive from your insurance company.
Do I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault?
While you have to pay your deductible even if you were not at fault, you can ask the liable party's insurance company to reimburse you for this expense. Bader Scott Injury Lawyers wants to help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries due to another person's negligence.
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.
Who pays after deductible?
After you meet your deductible, you pay a percentage of health care expenses known as coinsurance. It's like when friends in a carpool cover a portion of the gas, and you, the driver, also pay a portion.