A deductible is a small payment you must pay in addition to whatever your insurance company is paying for collision repair. The amount of your deductible depends on many factors, including the deal you have with the company, the amount of damages and the type of form you use when you file a report.
Verify that you have a deductible owed for collision repair. Depending on your insurance policy, you may not need to pay anything for certain types of collision (for example, if you are not at fault) or for small damages that do not add up to warrant a major claim.
Find out to whom you need to pay the deductible. Some must be paid to the insurance company, while others must be paid directly to the repair shop. This depends entirely on the type of arrangement you have and the system your company uses, so you will to verify the details well in advance.
Pay your deductible at the time you pick up your car if they money is due directly to the repair shop. Don't pay in advance, as the estimate you receive when you drop off your vehicle may not reflect the exact numbers you will need to cover at the end.
Ask your insurance company whether it is possible to have the deductible added to your insurance total, rather than having to pay for it out of pocket. This means the deductible will be added to your next monthly or yearly insurance payment, allowing you some time to come up with the money.
Always pay your deductible for collision repair by credit card or check so you have a record of the transaction. This can be important when the time comes to renew your policy or if an increase is in effect due to the collision.
