How much could YOU save?
Request free quotes; find out now.
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $901/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 0 hours ago
    Quote Range: $1,233-$2,134/yr
    Age: 36 Sex: Female
    State: Ohio Tickets: 2
    Number of Quotes: 2
    Vehicle: 2001 DODGE DURANGO
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $1,404/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 8 hours ago
    Quote Range: $1,058-$2,462/yr
    Age: 51 Sex: Male
    State: Pennsylvania Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 2012 FORD ESCAPE XLT
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $1,050/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 9 hours ago
    Quote Range: $946-$1,996/yr
    Age: 33 Sex: Male
    State: Pennsylvania Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $1,120/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 10 hours ago
    Quote Range: $1,812-$2,932/yr
    Age: 41 Sex: Male
    State: Florida Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 4
    Vehicle: 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6 EXT WB
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $959/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 10 hours ago
    Quote Range: $817-$1,776/yr
    Age: 21 Sex: Female
    State: Colorado Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 2
    Vehicle: 1998 FORD TAURUS SE COMFORT
We Scour. You Save.
We search the web to find the very best deals and money-saving tips. Then, we send them right to you.
Get insurance now:
Car Insurance Resources:
Get Free Quotes Now
Save With CarInsurance.com!
Car Insurance Learning Center  Learning Center  Auto Insurance Questions & Answers   Questions & Answers  Professional Answers   Auto Insurance Answers

Can a body shop pay or discount my $500.00 deductible?

Any agreement between a private party and the body shop is between them.

Normally a body shop that works with an insurance company will not pay off or discount your deductible amount. This would seem unethical in that it would appear they would just over-inflate the estimate to cover your deductible amount so that the insurance company ends up paying the entire amount for repairs, which is not right since you agreed to a deductible amount in your policy.

If the insurance company did not over-inflate the estimate to cover the deductible (which is insurance fraud) but instead took your deductible amount off their profit it is likely they would then find ways to cut corners to make up for this amount they did not receive. We would advise against repair or body shops that would cheat insurance companies since they are also likely to cheat you as well.

If you read through your insurance policy you will see that it says that you are responsible for paying the first portion of a repair bill in form of a deductible. If the cost of repairs comes in less than the estimate, you are still responsible for the amount of the deductible. Any savings legitimately belongs to the insurance carrier. Often the amount of the deductible can be the only profit a body shop makes on a repair so if they discounted customers this amount it would be hard for them to stay in business for long.

[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.]

When you purchased your insurance policy, you signed a contract agreeing that you will pay the first amount of the claim up to your deductible. Repair shops should not try to hide or pay your deductible for you. This would be considered insurance fraud and thus illegal by both parties in most states. Penalties for insurance fraud are usually quite severe.

For example the New York Insurance Department notes that notes that if by paying the deductible a repair company charges less for the services than the charges specified on the bill that is provided to the insurer, such company and the insured may be committing insurance fraud pursuant to N.Y. Penal Law 176.05(1) and N.Y. Ins. Law 403.

Free Auto Insurance Quotes





Insurance company and body shop appraisers know the cost of repairs and are rarely tricked by inflated or inaccurate estimates. Be wary of the repair shop that offers to save you your deductible. They may be taking short cuts in your repair, which could depreciate the value of your car. There must be a reason they are willing to involve themselves in violating your insurance contract and possibly committing insurance fraud depending upon your state's laws.

To find out about a specific situation and/or your state's insurance laws regarding this topic contact your state's insurance regulator.

Share this article with:

Related Questions
Car Insurance Related Why do auto insurance rates go up?
Rate, add comments, or add help about your situation and this question.
Help us improve the largest car insurance website!

poor 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

 excellent
Tell us why you rated this car insurance question and answer this way. You can add any helpful insurance comments to this page:
Visitor Comments
No visitors have commented on this answer.
Question Details
This car insurance answer was last updated 5:19 PM Jan-05.
This Insurance Claims question was asked 09:22 AM December-29-2008.
Micheal M. requested this car insurance help from CarInsurance.com experts.
Rated 2 out of 10 based on 1 votes.
Insurance Claims Category
Print Car Insurance Answers Print this car insurance question and answer
Email Car Insurance Answers Email this auto insurance answer
Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided are for information purposes. They are not intended to substitute informed professional advice. These responses should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance product, or to provide financial or legal advice. Please refer to your insurance policy for specific coverage and exclusion information. Please read our Terms of Service.
©2012 QuinStreet Insurance Agency, Inc. - Online Insurance Marketplace™
CarInsurance.com Feedback Survey