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Unlike health insurance, there are no annual deductibles to meet when it comes to auto insurance. You're responsible for your policy's stated deductible every time you file a claim. After you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
Comprehensive and collision are the two most common car insurance coverages that include deductibles. You may also have a deductible for personal injury protection or uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage in some states. Auto insurance deductibles work exactly the same for all coverage types.
Here's a quick overview of how deductibles work and how they influence your insurance rate:
If you cause an accident but don't damage your car, you won't pay a deductible. In this scenario, your liability coverage would pay for the other driver's injuries and property damage, which doesn't carry a deductible. However, if your vehicle is damaged in the accident, and you decide to file a collision claim, then you would pay your collision deductible.
Do I pay a car insurance deductible if I'm not at fault?
If the other driver is officially deemed at fault, their insurance company can pay for your repairs if you file them, and you won't have to pay your deductible. If you have collision coverage, you can also choose to go through your own insurer, who will seek reimbursement (including your deductible) from the other driver's insurance company. In situations where fault is shared, you may end up paying all or part of your auto insurance deductible.
Keep in mind, if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, a deductible may apply to your uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage in certain states.
Other situations with no deductible
An auto insurance deductible won't apply to you in the following scenarios:
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There is no car insurance deductible on a liability claim, meaning you pay nothing out-of-pocket for an accident in which your insurer pays for the damages and/or injuries you caused to another person, up to your policy's limits.
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Some insurers offer a "disappearing deductible" program that lowers your deductible a set amount for each violation- and claim-free policy period. After a certain number of policy periods, you can end up with a $0 deductible for comprehensive or collision claims. However, your deductible typically resets to its original amount after filing a claim.
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In some states, your insurer may repair or replace your windshield without requiring a deductible, or they may give you the option of choosing a $0 deductible for glass claims. Other insurers, including Progressive, may waive your deductible if they can repair your windshield rather than replacing it.
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Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features on this page are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.