Auto Insurance Deductible Questions
December 1, 2015 12:01 PM Subscribe
I was recently involved in an auto accident. The accident was the other driver's fault, but he apparently is not insured. I have insurance (through USAA) that includes uninsured motorist coverage with a $250 deductible, as well as collision coverage with a $500 deductible.
After researching insurance issues here and elsewhere, I'm still unclear on a couple of points. Questions below!
-- Typically, how do the deductibles work here? If uninsured motorist coverage applies, do I only need to worry about that deductible, or do I pay that in addition to the collision deductible? USAA said I would not be on the hook for the collision deductible provided the other driver was 100% liable, but I don't know if that changes if the other driver has no insurance.
-- I've read elsewhere that in this type of situation, the insured pays the deductible for the uninsured motorist coverage (at least -- I can't find any mention of whether any other deductible applies). Then the insurance company may go after the other driver for damages, and if it is recovered I will be reimbursed. Let's say USAA is able to recover some small amount of money. Is there any chance that USAA reimburses me first? I'm thinking not, but I've gotta ask!
-- I'm pretty sure the other driver is not going to be able to cough up any money. So in this instance, does the insurer (USAA or other companies) ever waive the uninsured motorist deductible? If so, under what conditions?
Thanks much for any help!
-- Typically, how do the deductibles work here? If uninsured motorist coverage applies, do I only need to worry about that deductible, or do I pay that in addition to the collision deductible? USAA said I would not be on the hook for the collision deductible provided the other driver was 100% liable, but I don't know if that changes if the other driver has no insurance.
-- I've read elsewhere that in this type of situation, the insured pays the deductible for the uninsured motorist coverage (at least -- I can't find any mention of whether any other deductible applies). Then the insurance company may go after the other driver for damages, and if it is recovered I will be reimbursed. Let's say USAA is able to recover some small amount of money. Is there any chance that USAA reimburses me first? I'm thinking not, but I've gotta ask!
-- I'm pretty sure the other driver is not going to be able to cough up any money. So in this instance, does the insurer (USAA or other companies) ever waive the uninsured motorist deductible? If so, under what conditions?
Thanks much for any help!
I'm pretty sure your UMP kicks in when you pony up the 250 dollars and that's all you have to pay.
posted by Annika Cicada at 12:43 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by Annika Cicada at 12:43 PM on December 1, 2015
I've had usaa for 35 years. Your best bet is to call the toll free number and talk to the customer service person. Each state has different rules, so it would be hard for anyone here to give you a better answer than they can.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:05 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:05 PM on December 1, 2015
I agree with kevinbelt. The USAA customer service people are really good, helpful and patient. There's no reason to ask Random People of the Internet when you can just call USAA and get a real answer in the most pain-free customer service experience out there.
posted by mcduff at 1:08 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by mcduff at 1:08 PM on December 1, 2015
In oklahoma, uninsured motorist insurance is for medical expenses, not your vehicle. your collison coverage would cover the vehicle. Your insurance company would then take subrogration action against the other party and probably would reimburse you for your deductible if they recover anything. Medical expenses cannot be subrogated though, so if you are out money there no luck.
but yeah, call your agent or insurer. they can tell you exactly what to expect in your situation and you will need to call them anyway to get the ball rolling
posted by domino at 1:23 PM on December 1, 2015
but yeah, call your agent or insurer. they can tell you exactly what to expect in your situation and you will need to call them anyway to get the ball rolling
posted by domino at 1:23 PM on December 1, 2015
Insurance claims adjuster here. IANYICA, of course.
- This could vary depending on the state your policy is written in but from my many years of experience, your UPD deductible is the only one that will apply. The only reason you might have to pay your Collision deductible is if USAA is still waiting for proof that the other driver has no insurance (coverage denial letter from their carrier with whom they no longer have an active policy, or the results of a tag trace) or there is some other stipulation in your policy, but this sounds pretty doubtful in your scenario based on the limited information I have. TL;DR: Your UPD deductible applies.*
- Yes, your insurance company will directly pursue the at fault driver for reimbursement even though he's uninsured. They may put him on a payment plan; worst case scenario they'll file a judgment against him. I don't work for USAA (full disclosure) but I deal with them frequently and I'd be shocked if they didn't reimburse you for your UPD deductible first before taking any money (for themselves) that they may recover from the uninsured but at fault party. This is a customer service gesture that is pretty standard across the board for most auto insurers. Now, how soon you get that money is another matter. But as soon as they get it from the at fault driver, they'll forward it to you. TL;DR: If any money is recovered from the at fault driver, you'll get your deductible back first before your insurance company takes any money.
- I've never seen an insurance company waive a UPD deductible. Collision deductibles, yes, in specific circumstances. But not UPD. This is because if they're already extending UPD coverage to you, they're already agreeing that you're not at fault and that the responsible party is uninsured. But, USAA is one of the most customer-oriented companies I know of and they tend to go out on a limb, so I don't want to speak for them- it is still unlikely, however.
*Unless you live in a state with a weird policy clause on what types of claims qualify for UPD (for example, some states don't sell UPD coverage, like Pennsylvania; in other states, they may not afford any Uninsured Motorist coverages - Property Damage or Bodily Injury - depending on whether or not it was a hit and run/phantom vehicle, or if it was an uninsured but identified/known driver, or if no police report was filed/an attempt was made to file a police report).
posted by nightrecordings at 3:28 PM on December 1, 2015
- This could vary depending on the state your policy is written in but from my many years of experience, your UPD deductible is the only one that will apply. The only reason you might have to pay your Collision deductible is if USAA is still waiting for proof that the other driver has no insurance (coverage denial letter from their carrier with whom they no longer have an active policy, or the results of a tag trace) or there is some other stipulation in your policy, but this sounds pretty doubtful in your scenario based on the limited information I have. TL;DR: Your UPD deductible applies.*
- Yes, your insurance company will directly pursue the at fault driver for reimbursement even though he's uninsured. They may put him on a payment plan; worst case scenario they'll file a judgment against him. I don't work for USAA (full disclosure) but I deal with them frequently and I'd be shocked if they didn't reimburse you for your UPD deductible first before taking any money (for themselves) that they may recover from the uninsured but at fault party. This is a customer service gesture that is pretty standard across the board for most auto insurers. Now, how soon you get that money is another matter. But as soon as they get it from the at fault driver, they'll forward it to you. TL;DR: If any money is recovered from the at fault driver, you'll get your deductible back first before your insurance company takes any money.
- I've never seen an insurance company waive a UPD deductible. Collision deductibles, yes, in specific circumstances. But not UPD. This is because if they're already extending UPD coverage to you, they're already agreeing that you're not at fault and that the responsible party is uninsured. But, USAA is one of the most customer-oriented companies I know of and they tend to go out on a limb, so I don't want to speak for them- it is still unlikely, however.
*Unless you live in a state with a weird policy clause on what types of claims qualify for UPD (for example, some states don't sell UPD coverage, like Pennsylvania; in other states, they may not afford any Uninsured Motorist coverages - Property Damage or Bodily Injury - depending on whether or not it was a hit and run/phantom vehicle, or if it was an uninsured but identified/known driver, or if no police report was filed/an attempt was made to file a police report).
posted by nightrecordings at 3:28 PM on December 1, 2015
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posted by kevinbelt at 12:35 PM on December 1, 2015 [3 favorites]