Can Getting Medical Treatment after a Tampa Bay Area Auto Accident Raise My Insurance Rates?

If you were injured in a serious auto accident in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and had to get medical treatment for your injuries, you may be worried that your car insurance rates will increase.

This is an understandable concern, but thanks to Florida Statute 626.9541, car insurance companies are not allowed to use an auto accident as a sole reason to raise your rates, unless you were found substantially at fault in the accident.

Specifically, Florida Statutes say it is unfair and deceptive for an insurance company to impose or request, “ … an additional premium for a policy of motor vehicle liability, personal injury protection, medical payment, or collision insurance or any combination thereof or refusing to renew the policy solely because the insured was involved in a motor vehicle accident unless the insurer's file contains information from which the insurer in good faith determines that the insured was substantially at fault in the accident.”

While your insurance company cannot raise your rates simply because you needed medical treatment after an auto accident that was not your fault, your insurance company may raise your rates for other reasons such as your age, gender, and geographic location. Another common reason for rate increases is your distance away from work. For example, if you are driving from north Pasco County to south Tampa and back every day, this would mean you are in heavy, dangerous traffic for a significant amount of time and are at a greater risk of an auto accident. An auto insurance company may even use a lower credit score as an excuse to raise your rates, although the use of credit scores in determining auto insurance rates has become a topic of debate among Florida legislators and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

If you have been involved in an auto accident with injuries in the Tampa Bay area and you are concerned that your auto insurance company will raise your rates simply because you needed medical care, contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. You may file a complaint at www.floir.com (under the “Consumers” tab), or you may call 1-877-693-5236 for assistance.

It is also important to discuss your auto accident injuries with an attorney who can fight for your right to fair and just compensation. Please contact Tampa auto accident attorney Dale Appell, P.A. for a free consultation about your case if you were involved in a car accident with serious injuries in Tampa, Hillsborough, Sun City Center, Clearwater, Riverview, St Petersburg, Hernando, Pasco, Oldsmar, Polk, and Lutz.