Your policy, or service agreement with your insurance company, usually includes a deductible amount that must be paid toward the cost of clean-up or repairs before the insurance company takes over on any covered loss. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible on your policy, and your home sustains water damage totaling $3,000, you will pay the first $1,000 toward covered repairs or replacements, and your insurance company will pay the remaining $2,000, or the balance of the bill, up to the policy limit. Contractors cannot hide additional monies in the bill or waive the deductible, as doing so could be considered insurance fraud. CATCO’s account manager can talk with you about accepted forms of payment.