What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of a claim you pay yourself before your insurance company pays the rest. Texas’s insurance regulator gives this example: with a $1,500 collision claim and a $500 deductible, the company subtracts $500 and pays you $1,000.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (4)
How does a deductible work after a car crash? An example
Example: someone sideswipes you in a parking lot and drives off. The repair is $2,400. You file under your own collision coverage, which has a $1,000 deductible. Your insurer pays $1,400, and the first $1,000 is on you.
Change one fact: the other driver stops, admits fault and has insurance. If you claim against that driver’s insurer, there is no deductible on that claim. You could still use your own collision coverage to get the car fixed faster; then you would pay the $1,000, and your insurer may try to recover it from the other company.
Why does the deductible matter if you were hurt?
It decides which claim to file first. Going through your own policy is often faster, but it costs the deductible up front. Going through the at-fault driver’s insurer costs no deductible, but it can take longer, and that insurer may dispute fault.
It can also apply to injury coverage you might not expect. In Texas, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims carry a deductible, along with collision and comprehensive claims. Check your declarations page, which lists each coverage and its deductible.
Which claims carry a deductible?
| Claim | Deductible? |
|---|---|
| Your own collision, comprehensive or UM/UIM claim in Texas | Yes. |
| A claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer | No. |
| Liability claims made against you | Check your policy. Liability coverage usually pays others without a deductible. |
NAIC’s glossary defines a deductible simply as the portion of the insured loss, in dollars, paid by the policyholder.
Car insurance deductible vs. health insurance deductible
A car insurance deductible applies to each claim. A health plan deductible usually builds up over a year: you pay your medical costs until you reach it, and then the plan starts sharing costs. After a crash you can face both, one for the car and one for the ER visit. MedPay can help with the health plan deductible.
Questions
Do I get my deductible back if the other driver was at fault?
Often your insurer tries to recover what it paid from the other driver’s company. Ask your insurer whether your deductible is part of that recovery and when you will get it.
Is a higher deductible a good idea?
A higher deductible usually lowers your premium but means paying more after a crash. Pick an amount you could pay tomorrow.
Does a deductible apply to bodily injury claims?
Not when you claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. Your own UM/UIM claim can carry one in Texas.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (4)
- Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “A deductible is the amount of a claim that you must pay yourself. For instance, if you have a $1,500 collision claim and your policy has a $500 collision deductible, the insurance company will deduct $500 from your claim amount and pay you $1,000.”
- Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “You must pay a deductible for collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.”
- Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “You don’t have to pay a deductible for claims against another driver’s insurance company.”
- NAIC Glossary of Insurance Terms, checked 2026-11-09. “Deductible - portion of the insured loss (in dollars) paid by the policy holder.”