Do I still have to pay for deductible?

Question

My parked car was hit hard and the demage estimated $1,400 to fix it. Isn't the at fault carriers insurance suppose to pay for it? Why is my insurance asking me to pay deductible, if my car was unoccupied? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP...10points for best answer

Answer 1

If the claim goes through YOUR insurance, you pay your collision deductible.  If it goes through the other guy's insurance company, you don't.

It doesn't matter if your car was occupied or not.  What matters is, which policy is paying for it.

But YOUR insurance company, if it pays, will try to go after the other guy's insurance, and try to get your deductible back for you.

Answer 2

Because they can't get the money from the other guy's insurance, you're stuck for the deductible..  Welcome to the world of hit and run.

You shouldn't have your rates go up or be charged points for an accident however, because you weren't at fault.  Try to look on the good side- at least no one was injured.

Yeah, I know - it ain't fair.  I've been burned by hit and run drivers, too.  Be sure to check the area where you were hit.  Sometimes there are surveillance cameras in parking and shopping areas. Or maybe you'll get lucky and a witness will come forward - I hope so.  

Answer 3

(Using a 500 deductible as an example) -- when you took out your insurance policy and purchased collision coverage - you selected a deductible. You agreed to pay the first 500 worth of damage to your vehicle if the insurance company would pay the rest.

The deductible applies any time you use your collision coverage -- regardless of fault. It applies per occurrence -- that means per claim. Unlike a health insurance deductible you don't meet it for the year.

Do you know who hit your car?

If yes, you can contact that person and file a claim against their liability coverage. There is no deductible for a liability claim. So, if the other insurance company pays you -- then you will not incur a deductible.

or

You can file against your policy - collision coverage - incur the deductible. Your policy will then pursue recovery from the at fault party's insurance company. They ask for their money and your deductible. Once they get paid - they forward your deductible to you.

This process is called Subrogation.

If you do not know who hit your car -- it could be handled one of two ways - depending on the laws of your state. Since I don't know where you are -- I'll explain both. You can speak to your agent and find out how it works where you are.

In some states - an unknown vehicle who hits your vehicle and leaves the scene (hit and run) can be handled as an uninsured motorist claim. This coverage usually has a deductible too -- but it is often lower than your collision deductible. You will have to have a police report to pursue this option (if your state allows).

However- not every state recognizes a hit and run vehicle as an uninsured motorist claim for property damage. In which case, you will have to use your collision coverage and will incur your collision deductible.

I encourage you to speak with your agent. They are familiar with the coverages on your policy and laws in your state. They can best direct you on how to handle the matter and assist you in filing a claim.

Answer 4

Tell your insurance company that part of your premium goes toward their defending you, and that includes demanding that the at-fault person's insurance cover your deductible.  If they refuse, contact your state's department of insurance.

Answer 5

If the at fault party has insurance, then you'd be best off putting in a claim with their insurance company instead of your own and then you wouldn't have to pay anything and the other company would provide you with a rental car.  

If they don't have insurance then you'll have to put in a claim on your own insurance.  If that is the case, the claim will be a not at faul collision claim and you will be subject to your collision deductible and there's no way around that.  However, your insurance company will do what's call subrogating, which means that they'll attempt to collect the $1,400 back from the at fault party.  This will reimburse their costs and they'll reimburse your deductible.  This normally takes at least a few months assuming that they're able to collect.

Your insurance company is not in the wrong to collect your deductible, that is the coverage that you purchased from them.  The accident wasn't their fault either.  But they will try to get your money back for you.

Answer 6

If you contacted your insurer to pay for the damages, you will end up paying the deductible, regardless of who is at fault.  Such damages fall under your collision coverage, and you apparently have a deductible on that.

If you wanted to avoid such, you should have gone directly after the other person's insurance carrier for resolution.  If you had done so, then you would most probably have been paid in full.

Answer 7

well it all depends on who is doing the work, did you go thru your insurance company to get the work done, if that is the case than you will be asked to pay the deductible and it will be reimburse to you when your insurance company settles the claim with the other insurance company.

You could of gone thru the other persons insurance company and not of had to pay anything.