diff --git a/src/components/quick-add/quick-add.tsx b/src/components/quick-add/quick-add.tsx
index d4bb8ce..d65b38e 100644
--- a/src/components/quick-add/quick-add.tsx
+++ b/src/components/quick-add/quick-add.tsx
@@ -220,9 +220,11 @@ export function QuickAddTime() {
                   setFeeId(v);
                   const fee = fees.find((f) => f.id === v);
                   if (fee) {
+                    const fallback = activeCase?.default_hourly_rate ?? profileRate ?? 0;
+                    const rate = Number(fee.amount) > 0 ? fee.amount : fallback;
                     setForm((f) => ({
                       ...f,
-                      rate: String(fee.amount),
+                      rate: rate ? String(rate) : f.rate,
                       billable: fee.billable,
                       description: f.description || fee.name,
                     }));
@@ -233,7 +235,10 @@ export function QuickAddTime() {
                 <SelectContent>
                   {fees.map((f) => (
                     <SelectItem key={f.id} value={f.id}>
-                      {f.name} — ${Number(f.amount).toFixed(2)}/hr
+                      {f.name}
+                      {Number(f.amount) > 0
+                        ? ` — $${Number(f.amount).toFixed(2)}/hr`
+                        : " — uses your default rate"}
                     </SelectItem>
                   ))}
                 </SelectContent>