Do I still need to pay out of pocket after filing an insurance claim?
2 Answers
Most insurance companies require car owners to pay for repairs upfront, as the insurer needs to review the repair invoices and other relevant claim documents submitted by the policyholder before processing the reimbursement. Below are the key details: 1. After a traffic accident: If the traffic police determine full liability, the insurer covers 80% of third-party losses; for primary liability, 85%; for equal liability, 90%; and for secondary liability, 95%. 2. Risk mitigation: Follow guidance from traffic police and insurance claim handlers. Notably, insurance policies do not impose time restrictions on repairs, allowing car owners to freely choose when to proceed with repairs.
The first time I dealt with car insurance, I asked this question: Do I still have to pay out of pocket after filing a claim? The answer is not necessarily. Every insurance policy includes a deductible. For example, last time my repair cost for a scratch was over 20,000, but my policy had a 2,000 deductible, so I had to cover that portion. If the cost is below the deductible, it’s more common to pay the full amount yourself. Additionally, insurance only covers basic repairs, but if you opt for premium parts or extra services from the repair shop—like polishing after a paint job—you might have to cover the difference. Not to mention, the at-fault party determines who pays. If someone else hits you and their insurance covers everything, you won’t have to pay a dime. In short, after filing a claim, check your policy details promptly, contact the claims adjuster to confirm estimated costs, and avoid surprises—it can save a lot of hassle. It’s advisable to choose a policy with a low deductible and get quotes from multiple providers.
