A car accident is never any fun. Even if no one is seriously hurt, dealing with insurance carriers, a ton of paperwork, and the cost of repairs can wreck anyone’s schedule (and nerves)!
Of course, in some situations you may not have to deal with such a headache. In fact, you may not be obligated to file an insurance claim in the first place. The following information will discuss a couple of scenarios in which you don’t have to file a claim, and 3 scenarios in which you do.
When Not to File
There are 2 common situations in which you don’t have to file an insurance claim. In fact, with constantly climbing insurance premiums, it may be in your best interests not to do so. These common scenarios are:
- Your vehicle alone was involved in the accident. If you only caused damage to your own vehicle, and the accident resulted in no injury to you, then you have a choice: you can either file an insurance claim that may pay for some or most of the damage, or pay out of pocket. While the upfront costs of paying out of pocket may be higher, in the long run you may actually pay more by filing a claim. For instance, if you back into your own vehicle and incur $1,000 worth of damage, but your insurance premiums increase by $2,000 over the next 2 years, then you may decide it’s not worth it to file a claim.
- The total property damage was $500 or less. According to Florida law, drivers must contact a law enforcement officer for accidents that incur greater than $500 worth of damage. In other words, if your vehicle gives another car a “love tap” without any noticeable damage, then you’ll likely not need to file an insurance claim to cover the repair costs.
When You Should File
Of course, there are many times when you have to file a claim with your insurance company, whether you want to or not. 3 common scenarios in which this is the case include:
- When someone has suffered an injury. If anyone at all was injured in the accident, whether in your car, in another car, or even on the street, then you should file a claim. This is especially true if there’s a chance you’ll be found at fault for the accident. Without filing a claim, you could leave yourself open to a lawsuit in the future.
- When it’s unclear who is at fault. Even though Florida is a no-fault insurance state, there are situations in which it’s important to determine which driver caused an accident (especially if serious injury resulted). In these situations, you’ll want to file a claim so that your insurance provider can represent you.
- When significant damage was incurred. Any accident that results in greater than $500 worth of property damage must be reported. In such a situation, filing a claim could prove to be a protection for you, since you may not have the resources to pay for extensive repairs out of pocket. If the damage to your vehicle is really severe, then the insurance company may even total your car and make out a check to you for its equivalent pre-wreck value.
Granted, being in a car accident can put a serious dent in anyone’s smile. However, if you know when to file and when not to file, then you’ll save yourself a lot of stress down the road.
If you’ve been in an accident and need some help with repairs or insurance issues, then reach out to our team of experts at (305) 908-5548, or schedule an appointment here.