I don't think expenses count towards a deductible unless it was related to an insurance claim in the first place. If I have a $5k deductible, I could pay cash

I don't think expenses count towards a deductible unless it was related to an insurance claim in the first place. If I have a $5k deductible, I could pay cash and claim it was $5k for anything, and that now the insurance companies needs to start paying their share. I'm sure they wouldn't like that.