There are several ways to get your car fixed after a car accident.
First, if the other driver is at fault, you may get your car fixed through their property damage coverage. Property damage coverage is insurance coverage that indemnifies (pays for) the car driver/insured for damages they inflict on someone else’s car. Fault matters with this coverage as it will only pay to fix the other car if the insured/driver is at fault. There is no deductible with property damage coverage, only a limit to the amount of coverage. Once the other car insurer acknowledges fault (this would be done after their investigation which would include talking to the other driver), then they will generally fix your car and put you in a rental car during the time in which it is fixed. This assumes that the damages to your car are within their property damage coverage (Florida law requires minimum of $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if there is an issues of fault or if you are at fault or if the other person does not have enough insurance to fix your car, and if you have collision coverage under your policy, then you can get your car fixed through your own collision coverage. Collision coverage generally is insurance that will fix your own car, no matter who is at fault, so long as it is damaged in a car collision. There is generally a deductible with collision coverage – $250, $500, or $1,000 usually. This insurance will fix your own car when you are at fault, when there is an issue of fault between the drivers or when you are not at fault but the other person does not have insurance or enough insurance. Rental coverage is not included within collision coverage generally and must be purchased separately.
Lastly, if you were in an accident and were at fault and you do not have collision coverage, then there generally will not any coverage to fix your car and you will have to fix it yourself.
If you have been in a car accident, please call Drucker Law Offices at 561-483-9199 (Boca Raton Main office) or 954-755-2120 (Coral Springs satellite office) or 561-967-3840 (Lake Worth satellite office) or 305-981-1561 (Miami satellite office) for a free consultation. We only charge fees and costs if we recover money for you.
Of course, a case based on a fact pattern such as the one above is unique and any other case should be judged based on the specific facts of the case. The advice in this blog is intended to be general and should not to be used as specific advice for a case, as the slightest difference in the facts could change the result. Also, this blog is, as the web site name suggests, based on Florida law and the laws of any other state could vary significantly from Florida. Also, please consult your insurance agent regarding the specific language in the coverage that you have purchased for your car. The information here is general in nature and an insurance policy is a contract that is based on the language used, so please be sure to read your policy or go over same with a lawyer to determine exactly what your insurance policy covers.
