A collision waiver could save you from having to pay your car insurance deductible if an uninsured driver is at fault. Some carriers and state laws provide policyholders with the option to purchase a collision deductible waiver. While the waiver typically comes at an additional cost, it could come in handy after an accident with someone lacking coverage.

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Key takeaways
  • A collision deductible waiver could prevent you from being responsible for paying your collision deductible after certain not-at-fault accidents.
  • A collision deductible waiver may only apply if the other driver is identifiable, uninsured and completely at fault.
  • Although collision deductible waivers usually do not apply in hit-and-run scenarios, CA and MA have created unique versions of the waiver that may apply even if the at-fault driver leaves the scene.

What is a collision deductible waiver?

A collision deductible waiver works by removing the insurance company’s requirement that you pay your policy’s deductible before they pay for the rest of the claim. Collision deductible waivers are typically optional, meaning you would need to add it to your policy at an additional cost to benefit from it. Luckily, the option is typically just a few dollars extra.

Considering that deductibles may sometimes be up to $2,000, the few extra dollars toward your policy could save you thousands in the case of a covered incident.

When does a collision deductible waiver apply?

A collision waiver applies in cases when someone else is at fault, but is also uninsured. Imagine if someone hits your car, causing expensive damage — and they do not have car insurance. You could file a claim with your car insurance company to pay for the repairs. However, you would also be responsible for your deductible without a collision waiver in effect, which could cause you financial strain for an incident you did not cause. Collision deductibles typically have options from $250, $500 or $1,000.

Although the waiver could lessen your financial burden, it does not eliminate your responsibility to pay a deductible in all situations. The following scenarios are examples of times the waiver would not apply:

  • The accident is partly (or fully) your fault: Collision waivers only apply when someone else is responsible for your damages.
  • The accident is no one else’s fault: If the collision only involves one car (yours), the collision is with an object or the accident between you and another vehicle is declared without fault, a collision waiver would not apply.
  • You were the victim of a hit and run: Although a hit-and-run is caused by a driver who leaves the scene of an accident, insurance companies will typically not waive the deductible in these scenarios. Because you may not always be able to prove who the other driver is and whether they are uninsured, the waiver is difficult to apply.

Is a collision deductible waiver the same as uninsured motorist coverage?

While both coverage options relate to accidents involving an uninsured driver, a collision deductible waiver operates differently than uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage pays for vehicle damages and injuries you and your passenger suffer if the at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage. It is mandatory in several states. Additionally, you may still have to pay the UM/UIM deductible.

States where uninsured motorist coverage is required:

  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey*
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

*UM coverage requirement based on a standard policy.

A collision damage waiver is an add-on that can supplement your coverage. It is not mandatory and does not provide coverage. It only waives your vehicle deductible if you are in an accident with someone who is at fault and uninsured. Adding the collision waiver, even if you have UM/UIM coverage, could save you from having to pay a deductible if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Collision deductible waiver in California

California has different requirements for collision waivers because the state regulators have set requirements around it. While insurance companies in most states would not cover a hit-and-run, California prohibits carriers from denying the removal of the deductible if the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident. In California, the waiver is called the California Deductible Waiver.

However, the requirements the state sets are still not easy to prove. Policyholders that have collision insurance would not have to pay the deductible after a hit and run — if they can identify the car or driver. In many cases, victims of a hit and run never find out who the driver was.

Collision deductible waiver in Massachusetts

Massachusetts also has its own rules about collision damage waivers, though the state’s rules are more generalized. Policyholders who have a collision deductible waiver may not have to pay their deductible if a driver that can be identified causes the accident. In Massachusetts, the waiver is called a “waiver of deductible.”

Should you have a collision deductible waiver?

A collision waiver is optional. The cost is nominal, especially when you consider that some accidents could put you out hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you have a high deductible, the waiver could be a wise choice. If you live in a state with a high number of uninsured drivers, the add-on could come in handy.

However, having a collision damage waiver is not a catch-all solution. Not all situations are covered by the waiver, meaning it is likely you will be responsible for paying your deductible unless the accident was caused by an at-fault, identifiable driver who is uninsured. Consider the pros and cons of having the waiver below:

Pros Cons
Designed to help prevent you from being left financially responsible after an accident where another driver is at-fault and uninsured Comes at an additional cost to your policy, but doesn’t provide any new coverage
Typically only costs a few dollars May not apply in a hit-and-run scenario, depending on where you live
Having the waiver could save hundreds of dollars or more on a high collision deductible Would not apply if you caused the accident, even if the accident was with an object

Other ways to reduce your deductible

If you are concerned about the likelihood of paying a high auto insurance deductible, there are other ways you may be able to reduce the amount you owe after a claim.

  • Choose a lower deductible: You have the option of lowering your deductible amount at any time. Most deductibles range between $500 and $2,000. You could lower your car insurance deductible to avoid a significant financial hit after a claim. However, keep in mind that the lower your deductible is, the higher your car insurance premiums may be. Finding the right balance between manageable premiums and a deductible you could afford helps keep your deductible and coverage maintainable.
  • Add a vanishing deductible: Several car insurance companies offer policyholders a perk that encourages drivers to avoid claims. Known as a vanishing or disappearing deductible, every year you do not have an accident or file a claim could earn you a deductible reduction. The annual reduction is typically $50 or $100 per year, which could bring you considerable savings over time.