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Do I pay a deductible for a liability claim?

I only have liability insurance, but was at fault for another accident. Am i responsible for paying any sort of deductibles? I have liability coverage under safe auto insurance, and this is my first accident under this insurance company. The damages to the other cars were minimal. Also I’m 19 years old

Dec 17, 2018 Chicago, IL

Answer
Author profile picture

Ava Lynch

Senior Analyst

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior analyst, providing insights and data analysis as one…

You are not responsible for a deductible unless you have comprehensive and collision coverage. Since you only have liability, the damages to your car will not be covered which means there is no deductible. Keep in mind, an at-fault accident raised rates $468 per year in Illinois in 2018. Over a 3 year period, which you will typically be charged for after a violation, that $468 stretches to $2,524. If you're able to, it might make sense to pay for the other driver's damage out of pocket. Keep in mind, the other driver is under no obligation to accept your offer. But it can be an alternative to the rate increase. For more information, see our Guide to Filing a Claim. Good luck and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

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