Is it illegal for a company to pay your deductible?

Asked by: Alvena Leuschke  |  Last update: July 21, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (35 votes)

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.

Is it illegal to pay someone's deductible?

The contractor will “absorb”, “waive”, or offer to pay the deductible. The problem is that it's not legal.

Can you make payments towards your deductible?

With regard to healthcare deductibles, always ask if it's possible to negotiate a payment plan. The healthcare provider cannot legally waive the deductible but they can allow you to pay it over time.

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

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.

Is it illegal for a roofer to pay your deductible?

You'll hear some roofing companies offering to pay deductibles, but this is illegal. Not only is a roofing company paying your deductible illegal, but it is outright committing fraud.

Who Do You Pay Your Insurance Deductible To? The Contractor Or Your Insurance Company?

15 related questions found

Is it illegal for a contractor to pay my deductible?

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.

How to avoid paying a 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.

What happens if I can't 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.

Should I file an insurance claim if I am not at fault?

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.

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 get your deductible back if you're 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.

How to get 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.

What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?

Be open about your struggle to afford the procedure and see what options might be available to you. Even if the hospital can't help, it may be able to refer you to a local nonprofit that can. Negotiate medical bills after the surgery. Most billing offices are willing to set up payment arrangements with patients.

What is the deductible law?

Deductible in tax law (referred to as a tax deductible) means an item or expense that can reduce the taxes a person owes in a given year. A deductible item is subtracted from the total taxable income which can substantially reduce taxes owed by an individual or corporation.

Can I make payments on my deductible?

Take Advantage of Payment Plans

This can be an excellent option if you don't have the funds to pay your deductible upfront. However, keep in mind that you will likely have to pay interest on the amount you owe, which can increase the overall cost of your insurance.

What are subrogation rights?

“Subrogation” refers to the act of one person or party standing in the place of another person or party. It is a legal right held by most insurance carriers to pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss in order to recover the amount the insurance carrier paid the insured to cover the loss.

What happens if no one is at fault in an accident?

But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.

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.

Is it illegal to pay out of pocket for a car accident?

Strictly speaking, paying out of your pocket for a car accident isn't illegal, but accepting the offer may have unwanted consequences.

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.

How to avoid paying a 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.

Is it illegal for a body shop to pay your deductible?

Any savings from the repair work clearly belongs to the insurance company. By keeping the deductible you are violating your insurance policy and could be committing insurance fraud. Penalties for insurance fraud are very severe in California.

Is it illegal to not pay your deductible?

The insurance carrier outlines its responsibilities in the benefits, limits, and exclusion sections. But homeowners also have responsibilities as well. If you do not pay your deductible you are committing a crime. Technically, this is a form of insurance fraud.

How to get a roof replaced without paying the deductible?

No matter what a roofer tells you you must pay your deductible. There is no way around it and insurance will consider it insurance fraud if they do. Many homeowners try to find a way around this but there is no way around it. You can also verify this directly with your insurance provider or an attorney.

Can my insurance deductible be waived?

In most situations, for coverages with a deductible, a deductible will apply - but there are some circumstances in which the deductible may be waived. For example, if you have comprehensive coverage and make a claim to repair windshield glass damage, then your deductible may be waived.