Liability coverage, which is required in California, doesn't involve deductibles but covers damages the policyholder causes to other vehicles, drivers, or property.
The contractor will “absorb”, “waive”, or offer to pay the deductible. The problem is that it's not legal. It's all about the fact that the contractor, no matter what they say, needs to be paid that $1000. In many cases, that's their entire profit.
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.
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.
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.
Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits.
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
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.
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.
Simply put, a deductible is the amount of money that the insured person must pay before their insurance policy starts paying for covered expenses.
Car Insurance Deductible
In this situation, you can wait until you meet the deductible before paying to repair your car. Some insurance companies will pay the repair shop based on the estimated cost of the repairs, minus the deductible.
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.
Your liability insurance will pay for the damages to the other vehicle. Liability coverage does not have a deductible, meaning you will only pay a deductible to have your car repaired if your comprehensive or collision coverage pays for the damages.
Your collision coverage helps pay to repair damage to your vehicle, regardless of who's at fault. Keep in mind you'll have to pay your deductible.
If you get into an accident and it's not your fault, the other driver's insurance company should pay for the damages, and you may not have to pay your deductible. It depends on your insurance policy. Some insurance policies require you to pay your deductible even if you are not at fault, while others do not.
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.
In most cases, you will have to pay a deductible if you file a car insurance claim after hitting a deer with your car. When you purchase comprehensive or collision coverage, you choose a set deductible. A deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket toward a covered claim.
Some states require you exchange ins information. The other drivers ins is also going to ask you for it. Here in California you exchange info regardless who is at fault.
Gather as much information as possible—photos, witness statements, and any relevant documentation—so you're prepared to defend yourself if the claim escalates. Remember to report the incident to your insurance company immediately, even if you believe the accusation is entirely unfounded.
Report the Car Accident to Your Insurance Company
If you had no fault at all in the car accident, the other driver's insurance company should be liable for your damages. You should be compensated for all of the costs of the accident.
Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.
Who pays my deductible if I'm not at fault? If another person is found to be at fault for the accident, we'll work with you to make sure either they or their insurance company pays for your damages and losses and recover any money you may have paid toward your deductible or repairs.