At Valor Insurance, we have noticed over the years that many of our clients in Pennsylvania are somewhat confused about auto insurance deductibles and how they function. We are here to assist you in making an informed decision about your auto coverage and ensuring you have peace of mind should you be involved in an accident.
What is an Auto Insurance Deductible?
An auto insurance deductible is the amount you pay for a claim before your insurance begins to cover the costs. For instance, if you were at fault in an accident, you would be responsible for paying the deductible for repairs. After that, your insurance company would cover the rest of the repair costs. Deductibles serve as a safety net for insurance companies, preventing consumers from filing claims for minor issues. However, with a deductible in place, you can still file qualifying claims, large or small, but you must pay the deductible first.
For example, if you were in an accident that resulted in $2500 worth of damage and your collision deductible is $500, you would pay the first $500 to the body shop, and then your insurance would cover the remaining $2000. You would be responsible for the entire repair cost if the damage is equal to or less than your deductible. In such cases, getting an estimate and paying for the repairs out of pocket may be best to avoid having the claim on your insurance record.
On an auto policy, you’re only required to pay deductibles when you are at fault; there is a hit and run, and the guilty party cannot be located, or medical coverage on your policy requires a deductible, such as excess medical on an auto policy. The amount of the deductible you select for your auto policy also affects the cost of your auto premiums. The higher the deductible, the lower your premiums. Conversely, the lower your deductible, the higher your policy premiums will be.
Contact Us for More Information
To learn more about auto deductibles, how they work, and which coverages require them, contact Valor Insurance in Pennsylvania today at (800) 419-0849.