Under a policy written with a self-insured retention (SIR) provision, the insured (rather than the insurer) pays the defense and/or indemnity costs associated with a claim until the SIR limit is reached. After that point, the insurer would make any additional payments for defense and indemnity that were covered by the policy.

In contrast, a policy written with a deductible provision, the insurer pays the defense and indemnity costs associated with a claim on the insured's behalf and then seeks reimbursement of the deductible payment from the insured. For example, assume that two policies are identical except for the fact that Policy A is written with a $25,000 deductible, while Policy B contains a $25,000 SIR. Also assume that defense and indemnity payments for a given claim total $100,000. In the event of a claim under Policy A, the insurer would pay the $100,000 in defense and indemnity costs that were incurred. After the claim is concluded, the insurer will bill the insured for the $25,000 in payments made on the insured's behalf. In the event of a claim under Policy B, the insured will pay the first $25,000 of defense/indemnity costs, after which, the insurer will make the additional $75,000 in defense and indemnity payments on the insured's behalf.