Auto Insurance Claims: Wife backed into my truck, insurance adjuster, collision coverage

Question
My wife backed into my truck causing damage to both vehicles.  If I file an insurance claim, could both vehicles be repaired for only 1 deductible?  If I get an estimate and negotiate a price with the insurance adjuster, can I cash out and decide what to do later?  Thanks for any help you can give.

Answer
Hi Zach,

This is a hard question. If both vehicles are insured under the same policy, you may be charged for 2 deductibles. The reason is that in many states you can not be legally liable to pay your self. Since you and your wife are considered to be "insureds", the damage to both vehicle would have to be paid from the collision coverage of the policy. That generally would trigger 2 claims. One for each vehicle and the deductible would apply to each.

You should call your insurers claim department. Do not identify your self with your policy number but simply ask the question.  Maybe you'll get lucky and they will wave 1 of the deductibles.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh