I was in an accident recently, and while a police officer came to the scene and filed an incident report, the other driver and I decided not to involve our insurance companies. Living in Florida, we were both concerned about our premiums increasing if we filed claims for the damages. The officer wrote up the report, but no tickets were given. Afterward, the other driver and I agreed to take care of the damage costs ourselves instead of going through insurance. My question is: will my insurance still increase due to the police report? I’d appreciate any advice or insights!
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.
I’m sorry to hear about your accident. In Florida, if you don’t go through insurance for the damages, it’s possible that your insurance premiums won’t be directly affected by the accident report. However, insurance companies can still see the accident report if they review your driving record, and they might consider it when calculating your rates, even if no claim was filed.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Check Your Policy: Review your insurance policy to understand how accidents affect your premiums and whether they will consider the report even without a claim.
Communicate with Your Insurer: It’s a good idea to inform your insurance company about the incident, even if you’re not filing a claim. This can help ensure there are no surprises later.
Document Everything: Make sure to keep detailed records of any agreements made with the other driver regarding damages, as well as copies of the police report.
Consider Future Implications: Even if you’re handling this situation personally, remember that accidents can impact your coverage in the future if there’s any need for a claim later.
Seek Legal Advice: If you’re uncertain about your legal rights or obligations, consulting with an attorney could provide clarity on how best to proceed.
Ultimately, it’s great that you and the other driver reached an agreement, but just make sure you’re aware of all potential implications moving forward.