What happens if you can't pay your deductible?

Asked by: Miss Marlene Gutkowski  |  Last update: August 20, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (33 votes)

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.

Can you make payments on a 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.

How do I get out of my paying deductible?

You can avoid paying your car insurance deductible for vehicle repairs by not filing a claim at all or by getting the mechanic to waive the deductible, which is possible but highly unlikely. In some cases, your insurer may also waive your comprehensive deductible for glass damage specifically.

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.

Can my 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.

What happens if you don't meet your deductible?

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What happens if you don't pay off your 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.

Is waiving a deductible legal?

It is unlawful for a service provider to engage in a regular practice of waiving, rebating, giving, paying, or offering to waive, rebate, give or pay all or part of a claimant's deductible or claim for casualty, disability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, health insurance or property insurance. (IC 41-348).

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.

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.

Why do I have to pay a deductible if it's 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.

Can I negotiate deductible?

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. Be honest and explain your situation upfront to your healthcare provider or hospital billing department.

Does my deductible get refunded?

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.

Do I need to pay deductible every time?

For example, if you have a $500 deductible, you'll have to pay that $500 out of pocket before your insurer will put a dime toward damages. There's no annual deductible to meet either. The agreed-upon deductible applies every time you file a claim.

How do I not pay my 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 you can't pay your copay?

Provider Policy: The healthcare provider's policy may vary. They may allow you to receive the necessary medical treatment or prescription medication, even if you can't pay the copayment immediately. In such cases, they might bill you later for the copayment amount.

Can I get a loan for an insurance deductible?

When a policyholder makes a claim, they are typically required to pay a certain amount out of pocket before their insurance coverage kicks in. This out-of-pocket amount is called a deductible. With deductible financing, policyholders can get a loan to cover their deductible and pay it back over time with interest.

Is it illegal to not pay insurance deductible?

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.

What happens if I don't make my deductible?

If you can't afford your deductible, there is a chance you won't be able to begin repairs right away. If your insurer requires your deductible be paid before they issue the remaining funds for a claim, you will need to find a way to pay it upfront.

Can a deductible be reimbursed?

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.

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.

What is too high of a deductible?

For individuals, a health plan can qualify as high deductible if the deductible is at least $1,350, and the max out-of-pocket cost (the most you'd pay in a year for medical expenses, with insurance covering everything else) is at least $6,750.

How to get a new roof without paying 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.

How can you get your deductible 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.

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 you negotiate deductible?

Negotiating Medical Bills

You can't negotiate all of your medical bills, but you can certainly negotiate some of them. You're not likely to be able to negotiate insurance copays and deductibles–especially if your provider is in-network. Taking this action may violate their agreement with your insurer.