Why do I pay deductible if I got hit?

Asked by: Eloisa Marks  |  Last update: August 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (25 votes)

Deductibles for car insurance require you to pay the deductible amount every time you file a claim. Once you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Auto insurance policies don't require you meet an annual deductible.

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

Generally speaking, you owe the deductible whenever you use your own first party coverage to pay for damage to your car. Has nothing to do with fault, except that the at fault driver (and their insurance) may ultimately cover your damages, which includes your deductible.

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

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.

How to avoid paying deductible?

How Can I Avoid Paying a Car Insurance Deductible?
  1. Choose not to file a claim until you have the money.
  2. Check your policy, as you may not have to pay up front.
  3. Work out a deal with your mechanic.
  4. Get a loan.

Why is my insurance making me pay a deductible?

The deductible is the amount of risk you've accepted to be responsible for when filing a claim through your own insurance. It's to prevent people from repeatedly filing false claims to receive a payout and get ahead financially. Plus it reduces the amount of premium you pay the higher the deductible amount is.

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 I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me in Geico?

Generally, when you have Geico collision coverage, an adjuster provides an estimate of damages. This allows the policyholder to go to a body shop, give it the insurer's estimate, and get the car repaired. The policyholder usually needs to pay a deductible.

How do I get my 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.

Will I get my deductible back?

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 don't pay my health insurance deductible?

What happens if you don't meet your deductible? If you do not meet the deductible in your plan, your insurance will not pay for your medical expenses—specifically those that are subject to the deductible—until this deductible is reached.

What happens once I hit my insurance deductible?

Once a person meets their deductible, they pay coinsurance and copays, which don't count toward the family deductible.

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.

Will my insurance pay if I hit someone?

Collision Insurance: Collision insurance covers damage to your car caused by a collision with another driver or a physical object. For example, if you hit an object or another car, collision insurance will pay for repairs to your vehicle.

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

You must pay your deductible every time you seek compensation from your car insurance company, regardless of how the accident happened. However, if you decide to sue the liable party for damages, your car accident lawyer could include the deductible as part of the settlement you seek from their insurance company.

Do I have to pay my deductible if the accident wasn't my 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.

Is it illegal to not pay your deductible?

If you do not pay your deductible you are committing a crime. Technically, this is a form of insurance fraud. Most homeowners' insurance policies will have a concealment or fraud section.

Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?

If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.

How do I get more for my totaled car?

6 Steps to get the most money from insurance for your totaled car
  1. Ask for the valuation report. ...
  2. Conduct your research on the value of your vehicle. ...
  3. Gather and provide supporting documentation. ...
  4. Consider getting a third-party appraisal. ...
  5. Negotiate with your insurance company. ...
  6. Get what is rightfully yours.

What to do if someone falsely claims you hit their car?

Report the Incident

You don't want them to hear from the other party first. Be detailed: Provide them with all the information you've gathered—photos, videos, witness names, and details about the incident. Ask for advice: Your insurance company will guide you on how to proceed and whether further action is needed.

How to avoid paying a collision deductible?

How do I avoid paying my collision deductible? You can avoid paying your collision deductible by choosing not to file a claim until you have the money or checking your policy for options that don't require upfront payment.

Do I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault?

Here's how subrogation works in car insurance: 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 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.

What if I hit my deductible?

Once you reach your deductible, your insurance starts to help with the costs of services you're eligible for. But once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays the total cost for all covered services.

How long does it take an adjuster to look at your car?

Usually, you'll hear from an insurance adjuster within three days of making the claim to discuss matters. If they need to survey the damage, it can be a few more days. If you use a repair garage that is affiliated with (or at least approved by) your insurance company, the process can speed up a bit.

Will GEICO drop me after 3 accidents?

Insurers, like State Farm or GEICO, do not have a fixed number of claims that automatically lead to policy cancellation. This is more likely to happen if you have three or more claims, a record of DUI, at-fault car accidents with high bodily injury and property damage costs and other traffic violations.