I was involved in a car accident where a police officer created an incident report, but both the other driver and I chose not to file a claim with our insurance. I live in Florida, and we both felt that using our insurance would just increase our rates. The other driver called the police to the scene, and while an accident report was made, no tickets were given. After the officer left, we agreed to personally manage the costs of the damages instead of going through our insurance. My question is, will my insurance still increase because a police report was filed? Any advice would be appreciated!
I was in an accident and a police officer made an incident report but the other driver and I decided to not go through insurance.
It’s understandable that you’re concerned about how the accident report might affect your insurance rates. In Florida, even though you and the other driver agreed to handle the damages privately, the presence of an accident report can still potentially impact your insurance. Insurance companies may review accident reports when determining your rates, so it’s possible that your insurer could see this incident.
Here are some steps you can consider taking:
Contact Your Insurance Company: It might be a good idea to reach out to your insurer and inform them about the situation. Discuss the accident and clarify that you are not filing a claim. This transparency could help clarify your intentions and potentially mitigate any impact on your rates.
Check Your Policy: Review your insurance policy and any relevant terms. Some policies may include clauses regarding how accidents affect your rates, regardless of whether a claim is filed.
Defensive Driving Course: Sometimes, taking a defensive driving course can help lower your rates after an incident, especially if you’re worried about increases.
Consider Your Options: If you don’t notice a change in your premiums after a few months, that’s a good sign. However, if your rates do increase, you can shop around for different insurance providers, as rates can vary significantly between companies.
In any case, staying proactive by communicating with your insurance company can help you navigate this situation more smoothly. Good luck, and I hope everything works out!