When the deductible is the hard part.
Coverage that pays back some or all of the deductible on a home, auto or business loss, used most where percentage deductibles have grown large.
Quick answer Deductible reimbursement insurance, often called deductible buyback, is coverage that pays back all or part of the deductible on a home, auto or business loss, used most where percentage deductibles have grown large.
- For wind, deductible buyback comes as a separate buyback policy from a specialty insurance company or as a second, lower deductible bought inside the property policy.
- A wind deductible buyback responds only to wind losses; for a fire or another cause, you still pay the regular deductible on the main policy.
- Percentage deductibles are figured on the insured value, not a flat amount: a 10% earthquake deductible on a $500,000 dwelling limit is $50,000 out of your pocket.
- The NAIC notes hurricane deductibles can run from 1% to as high as 15% of a home's insured value.
- California's Collision Deductible Waiver pays your collision deductible when your insured car is damaged by an at-fault uninsured driver.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
A second layer under the first policy
On many claims a deductible is a manageable flat amount. On hurricane, wind and earthquake coverage it is often a percentage of the insured value instead. The NAIC notes hurricane deductibles can run from 1% to as high as 15% of a home's insured value, and California Earthquake Authority policies use deductibles of 5% to 25% of the dwelling limit, so a 10% deductible on a $500,000 limit is $50,000 out of your pocket.
Deductible reimbursement, often called deductible buyback, pays back all or part of that deductible. For wind, it comes in two forms: a separate buyback policy from a specialty insurance company, or a second, lower deductible bought inside the property policy itself. I check whether either is available for your property and show you the deductible in dollars with and without it.
- What it paysAll or part of the deductible on a loss, up to its own limit.
- Two formsA separate buyback policy, or a lower second deductible bought inside the property policy.
- Where it's usedLarge percentage deductibles, especially wind and hurricane.
- What it isn'tA wind buyback responds to wind losses. For a fire, you still pay the regular deductible.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Main policy: the declarations page showing every deductible, including wind, hurricane or earthquake.
- Property: address, construction, year built and insured value.
- Deductible goal: how much of the deductible you want paid back.
- Lender terms: any maximum deductible your loan documents require.
- Losses: claims in the last five years.
- Timing: renewal date of the main policy.
Deductible reimbursement, answered
What is deductible buyback insurance?
Coverage that pays back all or part of the deductible on your main property policy after a loss. For wind, it can be a separate buyback policy that covers part of a percentage deductible, or a second, lower deductible bought inside the property policy itself.
How much can a buyback reduce what I pay?
It depends on how much of the deductible you buy back and the buyback's own limit. I show you the deductible in dollars with and without it before you decide.
Does it cover losses my main policy doesn't?
No. A wind buyback only responds to wind losses. For a fire or another cause, you still pay the regular deductible on your main policy.
What is the Collision Deductible Waiver in California?
An auto coverage that pays your collision deductible when your insured car is damaged by an at-fault uninsured driver. I can quote it with your auto policy.
Why are percentage deductibles so large?
Because they're figured on the insured value, not a flat amount. On a California Earthquake Authority policy, for example, a 10% deductible on a $500,000 dwelling limit is $50,000.
What should I ask before buying deductible protection?
Whether it's an insurance policy and which company pays the claim, what triggers payment, what its limit is, and which losses it responds to. Read the terms, not the brochure.
Do you offer deductible reimbursement insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Official sources
- NAIC: Hurricane deductibles
- California Earthquake Authority: Homeowners coverages and deductibles
- Rough Notes: Wind deductible buybacks (the two forms of buyback coverage)
- Insurance Business: What is wind deductible buyback coverage?
- California Department of Insurance: Automobile insurance guide, text version (Collision Deductible Waiver, deductibles)
Send your declarations page. I'll price the deductible.
The page that lists your deductibles is enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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