Who Pays for My Repair? Deductibles, Liability and Collision

After an accident the first question is usually who pays. The answer depends on who was at fault and what coverage you carry.

If someone else was at fault

You may claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. With a copy of the accident report we can usually open that claim for you. You would not normally pay a deductible on a liability claim.

If you were at fault, or nobody was

If you carry collision coverage, your own insurer should pay for the damage to your vehicle regardless of who caused it. You pay your deductible and they pay the rest. Comprehensive coverage works the same way for damage that isn’t a collision: a deer, a falling branch, a stone through the windshield.

If you carry neither, and the damage isn’t someone else’s fault, the repair is yours to pay for. That is worth knowing early, because it changes what makes sense to fix. We have found used parts and worked to a budget more than once rather than write off a car that still had life in it.

A note on deductibles

Your deductible is set by your policy, not by the shop. Be wary of anyone offering to make it disappear. That usually means inflating the estimate elsewhere, which is fraud, and it leaves you exposed rather than the shop.

What we do

We tell you what we think the repair costs before you commit, deal with the adjuster on your behalf, and handle the supplement if more damage appears once the vehicle is opened up. Call (845) 229-7353 with the accident report to hand and we’ll tell you where you stand.