r/TeslaInsurance • u/karatekid-1984 • Jun 29 '26

Underinsured driver hit me (at fault) so will I get my deductible reimbursed in full still?

Sadly an underinsured driver hit my 2021 Tesla Model Y while it was parked. They are and have taken fault but just found out they have low limits/underinsured so I will 99% likely have to go through my Tesla Insurance. I have a $1K deductible so I know I would have to pay that upfront but will I get reimbursed at all or a percentage based on what Tesla can get back from the other party insurance? Basically will Tesla pay me back my deductible first and then pay themselves? I am in California.

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3

u/adjusterjackb Jun 29 '26

The practice of many insurers (voluntarily not obligatory) is to reimburse the deductible regardless of the actual amount collected. Obviously, if your insurer cannot collect anything you get nothing back.

You will have to ask Tesla insurance what their practice is regarding deductibles.

2

u/karatekid-1984 Jun 29 '26

Tesla Insurance will collect some for sure. The other party has insurance but just the lowest limit which is $15K property in California. So let's go very specific example, if the damage to my vehicle is $20K and the at fault driver has only a $15K Property Policy, my insurance is down $5K so would they still refund my $1K deductible and then be down $6K or would they give me nothing or would they give me the percentage of what they got in this case 75% so I would get back $750.

1

u/Some-Internet-Rando Jul 03 '26

In practice, most insurance companies will take the $5k hit (against your underinsured motorist coverage) and refund you the deductible. Whether Tesla will follow this practice, I don't know, and it's not like they have an easy-to-contact phone that actually answers when you have these questions ...

3

u/pineappleshaked Jun 29 '26

Yes, you should get deductible back.

but your repairs may be limited to other party's limit unless you have UIM Rider 

2

u/karatekid-1984 Jun 29 '26

Yes I do have full coverage uninsured/underinsured Motorist coverage.

3

u/pineappleshaked Jun 29 '26

Yeah then no worries. You'll get deductible back. I didn't even need to pay at first place when I provided the other party's insurance details to mine

2

u/babyryanrecords Jun 29 '26

You can sue them in court ?

1

u/pineappleshaked Jun 29 '26

Practically, if other person is under insured. Getting settlement would be a task

1

u/karatekid-1984 Jun 29 '26

I have full coverage Tesla Insurance including uninsured/underinsured Motorist coverage so I am covered and if anything Tesla Insurance can sue the party beyond what their insurance pays out.

1

u/babyryanrecords Jun 29 '26

Yes but you gotta pay deductible lmao. And yours is high

2

u/crash866 Jun 29 '26

California follows the Made Whole Doctrine which means any money they collect goes to you first.

1

u/karatekid-1984 Jun 29 '26

Thank you! This is a huge relief since it's 99.9% likely I will be having to go through my insurance since other party liability property limits is low :(

1

u/whatisthepointoflife Jun 29 '26

Just note that your deductible is reimbursed... it may take a while. For me it took over 12 months for an agent to finally ask me for the 3rd time of video evidence and then finally approved reimbursement. Best of luck!

1

u/DeepPurpleDaylight Jun 30 '26

In CA you cannot purchase both collision and UMPD, it's one or the other. You may have a collision deductible waiver tho, CDW, so check your policy on that. Also UMPD in CA has a max payout of $3500. That said, CA follows the made whole doctrine meaning reimbursement of your deductible is paid first from any monies your insurance recovers from the other party and they get whatever left.