Which Insurance Company Should I Call After a Car Accident in Florida?

In Florida, the answer is confusing because of our “No-Fault” insurance laws. Unlike many other states, your first phone call-and your primary source of initial recovery-is almost always your own insurance provider, regardless of who caused the crash.

1. Call Your Own Auto Insurance First (The PIP Requirement)

Because Florida follows a no-fault system, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on your auto policy is primary.

• The Law: Under Florida Statute § 627.736, your own PIP insurance should pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages up to $10,000, even if the other driver was 100% at fault.
• The Deadline: You generally have 14 days to seek medical treatment to qualify for these benefits.
• What to Say: Stick to the basic facts (time, location, and that you were involved in a collision). Do not give a recorded statement about your injuries or fault until you have consulted with a legal professional.

2. When to Call the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

While you are required to timely notify your own carrier, you are not required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company immediately-and usually, you shouldn’t.

• Property Damage: If the other driver was at fault, their Property Damage Liability (PDL) should cover the repairs to your vehicle once they’ve investigated the claim and accepted fault. If there is a delay or problem with receiving these benefits from the other driver’s insurance and you carry collision coverage on your own policy, you may be speaking to your own carrier about your property damage only.
• Bodily Injury (BI): If your injuries are “permanent” or exceed your $10,000 PIP limit, you may seek a claim against the other driver’s Bodily Injury Liability coverage, but you do not need to speak to the other driver’s carrier about this claim immediately and should leave this to your counsel to handle.
• The Risk: Their adjusters are trained to find reasons to devalue your claim. Anything you say to them can be used to reduce your eventual settlement, so best to leave conversations regarding your injuries to your attorney.

3. Reporting the Accident to Getjustice.com

Navigating multiple insurance adjusters while recovering from an injury is overwhelming. Reporting your accident to a legal professional ensures that:

• Deadlines are met: Avoiding the “14-day trap” for your PIP coverage.
• Evidence is preserved: Securing dashcam footage or witness statements before they disappear.
• Statements are protected: Your attorney can handle communication about your injury claim with the insurance companies so you don’t accidentally say something that hurts your case.

Comparison of Insurance Roles