Hit-and-run: who pays the deductible?
You come out to a crushed fender and no note. In Arizona the answer is usually your own policy, and we make sure the deductible doesn't land on you.
Step one: the police report
File one, even for a parking-lot hit. Glendale PD and Phoenix PD both take online reports for property damage. Insurers want the report number, and some uninsured-motorist claims require it.
Which coverage pays
Collision coverage pays for a hit-and-run in Arizona, minus your collision deductible. Some policies include uninsured-motorist property damage (UMPD), which may carry a lower deductible. Ask your agent which applies; we'll document the damage either way.
The waiver
Whichever coverage applies, we waive up to $1,000 of the deductible on a qualifying repair. For a typical $500 or $1,000 deductible, you pay $0.
If the driver is found
Your insurer goes after them and refunds your deductible if it recovers. If we already waived it, that's between you and your insurer; we don't claw anything back.
What would you pay?
- We waive
- $1,000
- You pay toward your deductible
- $0
On qualifying insurance repairs. The exact amount is written on your estimate before work starts.
Real numbers, no fine print
| Your deductible | We waive | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| $500Most common collision deductible | $500 | $0 |
| $1,000The one that stops people from fixing the car | $1,000 | $0 |
| $1,500Higher deductible, lower premium | $1,000 | $500 |
| $2,000High-deductible policy | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Qualifying insurance repairs. If your repair is under $1,000, we cannot waive more than the repair costs.
Common questions
Does a hit-and-run count against me?
It is usually treated as not-at-fault, but rating rules vary by carrier.
Do I need the report before I bring the car in?
No. Bring the car; file the report online the same day.
Can you check for a camera?
We can't, but nearby businesses and doorbell cameras often catch it. Ask before footage is overwritten.
Deductible help
More on deductibles
Common questions
- How does a body shop waive a $1,000 deductible?
- $500 vs $1,000 deductible: what you actually pay
- The accident wasn't my fault. Do I pay a deductible?
- Is waiving a deductible legal in Arizona?
- Comprehensive vs collision deductible: which one applies?
- Can't afford your deductible? Here's how the car gets fixed anyway.
- $0 out of pocket. Here's how the math works.
By insurance company
Send a few photos. We'll take it from there.
Upload pictures of the damage for a preliminary price range, or call and talk to someone at the shop.
Visit the shop
5511 N 51st Ave, Suites 108 & 109
Glendale, AZ 85301
Open every day, 7 AM – 6 PM
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