Personal Injury Blog

After an automobile accident, there’s a lot that will probably be on your mind. Contacting your insurance company to tell them about the accident might just be the last thing on your mind when you’re worried about your health, the other driver, your passengers, your car, how you’ll get to work in the morning, and a million other things. But knowing what to expect with your car insurance or any other applicable insurance policy can help you in the long run.

Famale hands around a toy sized carAfter An Accident, Follow These Steps

First thing first, you’ll want to:

  1. Verify that you & your passengers are safe—if there are any injuries, be sure to call 911 for emergency medical aid;
  2. Contact the other driver to collect their information (including name, address, date of birth, phone number/email, and insurance policy) and the vehicle owner’s info;
  3. Contact medical services and the police to make sure injuries are treated and to get a police report filed for the accident; and
  4. If available, use a camera/camera-enabled phone to take pictures of the accident scene.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent

Contacting your insurance agent might not be a top priority for you after an accident, but you will want to talk to your agent sooner or later to ask them a few important questions, including:

How Much Coverage Does My Insurance Include?

In the state of Florida, there are certain minimum insurance coverages that every driver is required to have. Ideally, you should know what your insurance policy will and won’t cover before you settle on a particular insurer. This may include your life insurance policy, liability coverage, and car insurance coverage. However, the circumstances of an accident might leave it hard for you to be certain of what the insurer will cover.

100 dollar bills in a man's handsSo, after an auto accident, it’s important to check with your insurance agent to see exactly what your insurance company will cover. 

You should be prepared to give a full accounting of all damages suffered in the accident—both to the car and to you and your passengers. Having photos of the accident scene and your vehicle immediately after the accident can help with this.

While your insurance agent might not be an adjuster, giving the agent more evidence and objective information will help them know just how much of the damage your insurance company will cover—with or without insurance coverage from the other driver.

This question is especially important if you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver who might not be able to pay for damages. Adding uninsured motorist coverage can help protect against this eventuality, but it needs to be on the policy before the accident occurs.

How Will This Accident Affect My Insurance Coverage?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, your auto insurance rates may be affected. Factors that might affect your insurance include:

  • Fault status
  • Number of accidents on your record
  • Type of claim (personal property or bodily injury)
  • Your insurer’s policy

Contacting your insurance agent can help you better understand how a claim might affect your insurance rates because they’ll have more insight into the insurer’s policies.

In some cases, an insurer may even choose to refuse to renew your insurance altogether. This typically happens only when there are numerous traffic violations on your record, or you have too many claims—making you a high risk client to insure. In such cases, the insurer is required to notify you before your policy is discontinued so you have time to find another insurer.

What Should I Do Next?

Your insurance agent should be able to give you an idea of what to do next after an accident.

For example, they can walk you through what evidence you may need to collect, put you in contact with an insurance adjuster to assess damage to your vehicle, forward you to an insurance-approved auto mechanic/body shop, or provide other useful advice regarding what you can do about your insurance.

Florida Car Insurance Coverage FAQs

What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Florida?

According to the state of Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), drivers are required to have a minimum of $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL) coverage. This is known as the 10/20/10 requirement.

What does PIP cover?

PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs if you are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers your child's injuries if they are riding with someone else or are hit by a car while walking.

What does PDL cover?

PDL covers damages to someone else's property, such as their vehicle or home, if you are at fault in an accident. This coverage also protects you in case of a lawsuit resulting from the accident.

Are there any other types of car insurance coverage I should consider in Florida?

Yes, it is highly recommended to also have bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage, which covers injuries to others if you are at fault in an accident. This is not required by law, but it can protect you from a potentially expensive lawsuit.

Can I choose to reject PIP and/or PDL coverage?

Yes, you can reject these coverages if you have another type of insurance that provides the same or higher coverage, such as health insurance for PIP and homeowner's insurance for PDL. However, it is important to note that these coverages are required by law and rejecting them may leave you liable for expenses in case of an accident.

pedestrian car accident leg injury

What coverage limits should I expect?

The minimum coverage limits in Florida are 10/20/10, but it is recommended to have higher limits for better protection. The DHSMV suggests considering at least 100/300/50 coverage, which includes $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $50,000 for property damage per accident.

Are there any other factors that can affect my car insurance coverage in Florida?

Yes, your driving record, age, type of vehicle, and location can all impact your car insurance rates and coverage options. It is important to discuss these factors with your insurance provider to ensure you have the right coverage for your specific needs.

Get Further Help from a Car Accident Attorney

It is our sincere hope that whoever reads this is never involved in an accident. However, if you do find yourself in an auto accident, try to remain calm, make sure that no one is injured (or that any injured persons are given prompt treatment), cooperate with authorities, and don’t admit fault until you’ve had a chance to consult your attorney.

By remaining calm, you can make the most of an unpleasant event, and get some important answers that can help make the next steps easier.

5 Most Important Things To Do After A Car Accident

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