Reader’s Question:

I drive a refurbished car in Miami, Florida. A mustang rear ended me and it was obviously not my fault. I am so upset about this since my insurance premiums shot up. Why would my auto insurer punish me for an accident that wasn’t really my fault?

Missy

Miami, FL

Chances are, you might be penalized not of that particular rear-ending accident in Miami, FL but of a past traffic violation or accident, months or even years ago.
Do you think you have a spotless driving record in Florida? If you have a spotless driving record in Miami FL, then it is highly unlikely that your premiums will increase after an accident that wasn’t your fault.

But if you have just one related traffic violation, or fender bender prior to this no-fault accident, then you will probably see an increase in your rates in Miami, Florida.
So how long will you have a red flag after a specific accident in FL?

It depends on you local insurer. If you were an accident that was your fault two or three years before this no-fault accident, your auto insurer might consider you “accident-prone” and increase your rates.

Note that the length of time between accidents varies from one company to another.

Mind you that “fault” is always determined by the authorities. You may feel that you were not at fault in an accident, or that the other driver was a reckless monster but only the authorities can make that decision.

Whoever got the ticket for the accident is usually the one at fault.