Is waiving a deductible legal in Arizona?
Yes. The deductible is money you owe the shop, and a shop can discount what it is owed. The crime is lying to the insurer, and we don't.
What the law cares about
Insurance fraud is making a false statement to get an insurer to pay more than it owes. A shop that inflates the estimate, invoices parts it never installed, or 'bills' your deductible to the carrier is committing fraud. Arizona prosecutes it, and insurers' fraud units look for it.
What a legal waiver looks like
The estimate is accurate. The insurer pays its correct share. The shop then reduces the customer's balance by up to $1,000 on its own invoice. Nothing was misrepresented to anyone. That is a discount, like any other business discount.
How to tell them apart as a customer
Ask to see the waiver on paper. If a shop says 'don't worry about it, we'll handle it with the insurance,' walk out. If the discount is a line item on your invoice next to the real estimate, you're fine. Ours is.
Your right to pick the shop
Arizona law lets you choose your repair shop. Your insurer may recommend one and may ask you to get a second estimate, but it cannot require you to use its shop. Tell them Best Deal, 5511 N 51st Ave, Glendale.
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
Will my insurer be angry?
Insurers dislike inflated estimates, not discounts. They pay the same amount either way.
Do you report the waiver to my insurer?
It is on the final invoice, which the insurer can see. There is nothing to hide.
Is this legal advice?
No. We're a body shop. For your situation, talk to a lawyer; we can refer you to one.
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?
- 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.
- Hit-and-run: who pays the deductible?
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
Get directions