Do I pay a deductible for a liability claim?

I'm 19 years old and have liability insurance with Safe Auto, but I was at fault for an accident. Am I responsible for paying any deductible? This is my first accident with this insurance company. I've had other incidents in the past, but all damages were minimal.

Good question! With Safe Auto (and most insurers), deductibles only apply when you have collision or comprehensive coverage. Since you only carry liability insurance, your own vehicle isn’t covered in an at-fault accident, which means there’s no deductible to pay.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Your car: Liability coverage won’t pay for your own repairs — that cost falls on you.
• Other people’s car/injuries: Liability is there to cover the damages you cause to others, up to the limits you purchased. For example, Illinois’ minimum coverage is 25/50/20 ($25,000 for injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage). If the accident costs more than your limits, you’re personally responsible for the difference.

It’s also worth keeping in mind:

• An at-fault accident will likely raise your premium, sometimes by several hundred dollars a year, and the increase can stick around for three years or more.
• If the damage to the other driver’s car is minor, some people choose to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim, but the other driver doesn’t have to accept that arrangement.
• If you want your own car covered in the future, you’d need to add collision and comprehensive coverage. Those come with deductibles, but they’re what protect you against damage to your own vehicle.

So in your case: no deductible now, but you’ll want to be prepared for possible out-of-pocket costs for your own car and higher premiums going forward. Good luck and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.