Subrogation

After paying your claim, your insurer goes after whoever actually caused it to get the money back. If they win, you may even get your deductible back.

Subrogation is the insurer’s right to step into your shoes after paying your claim and go after whoever actually caused the loss, to recover the money.

For example, if another driver totals your parked car and your own collision coverage pays you, your insurer can then pursue that driver (or their insurer) to get its payout back. It keeps costs down for everyone by making the truly at-fault party ultimately pay.

There’s an upside for you, too: if subrogation succeeds, you’re often reimbursed your deductible out of the recovery. That’s also why you shouldn’t sign away your right to recover (a “waiver of subrogation”) without understanding it.

This is a friendly general explanation, not legal or policy language. Exact coverage depends on your policy, carrier, and state. 🤝

Written and reviewed by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 23, 2026. Questions? Ask a licensed agent.