A car accident in South Florida can happen in the blink of an eye. One moment you’re heading to work or picking up your kids, and the next you’re dealing with the shock of a collision, painful injuries, and the uncertainty of how you’ll cover the costs that follow.
On top of that, you’re expected to start filing a claim with Farm Bureau Insurance right away, even while you’re still in pain and trying to focus on recovery.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system also sets strict deadlines. To qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, you must seek medical care within 14 days, and every step in the claims process can influence how smoothly your case moves forward. Knowing how Farm Bureau handles claims helps you avoid setbacks and puts you in a stronger position if your injuries extend beyond what PIP covers.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Your health comes first after a crash. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 right away. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s smart to get checked by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions, whiplash, or internal damage, may not show symptoms until days later.
Getting timely medical care not only protects your well-being, it also protects your claim. Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 627.736) requires accident victims to meet certain medical deadlines before PIP benefits will apply. These benefits can help cover a portion of your medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. Be sure to save all records and receipts, since they’ll be important when filing your claim.
Step 2: Report the Accident and Collect Evidence
Florida law requires you to report crashes that involve injury, death, or at least $500 in property damage. Under Fla. Stat. § 316.066, a crash report must be filed. If police don’t respond, you can file one online through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) portal.
At the accident scene, try to gather what you can:
- Contact and insurance details for the other driver
- Photos of the vehicles, property damage, and road conditions
- Names and numbers of witnesses who saw what happened
In South Florida, where traffic is dense and tourist drivers are common, extra details like traffic camera footage can also be useful.
Step 3: File Your Claim with Farm Bureau Insurance
Once everyone is safe and you’ve gathered necessary information, it’s time to file your claim. Submitting a claim begins the process of assigning a Farm Bureau adjuster to your case.
Ways to file your claim:
- Phone: Call the toll-free 24/7 claims line listed on the website for Farm Bureau Insurance
- Online: Log in to the “My Account” portal at floridafarmbureau.com
- Mobile App: Use the app to upload photos, submit documents, and track the progress of your claim
- Local Agent: Contact your Farm Bureau agent in Palm Beach County or the surrounding area
When filing, be ready to provide your policy number, the date and location of the accident, a description of what happened, contact details for the other driver and witnesses, and supporting evidence such as photos and the crash report. Filing promptly helps avoid delays and gets the claims process moving faster.
Step 4: Cooperate with the Investigation
After your claim is submitted, Farm Bureau assigns an adjuster to investigate. This usually includes reviewing accident reports, looking over your documentation, and sometimes interviewing drivers or witnesses. The adjuster may also want to inspect your vehicle or ask you to release medical records.
It’s fine to cooperate with the process, but remember that adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Be cautious when providing recorded statements or signing documents. If you feel pressured, a South Florida car accident attorney can step in to represent you and make sure the insurer treats your case fairly.
Step 5: Review the Settlement Offer
Once the investigation is complete, Farm Bureau will present a settlement offer. The offer might cover repair costs, medical bills under your PIP benefits, lost wages, and sometimes rental car expenses, depending on your policy.
Look closely at what is being offered. In many cases, the initial settlement will only cover what is strictly required under your policy. If you suffered severe injuries that qualify under Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may be able to go beyond PIP and pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
Step 6: Finalize the Claim or Explore Legal Options
If you agree with the settlement, Farm Bureau will close the claim and issue payment either to you or directly to the providers involved. If you believe the settlement doesn’t cover your losses, you can appeal by submitting more documentation.
You also have the option to pursue a lawsuit if your injuries qualify under Florida law. In some cases, other coverage such as uninsured or underinsured motorist protection or an umbrella policy may apply. Accident victims in South Florida often consult a lawyer for auto insurance claim at this stage, especially if the insurance company has undervalued their claim.
Florida’s No-Fault Law and When You Can Sue
Be aware that Florida’s no-fault system limits lawsuits unless your injuries meet the criteria in Fla. Stat. § 627.737. The law allows you to pursue further damages if you experienced:
- Permanent and significant loss of an important bodily function
- A permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement
- Death, which may result in a wrongful death claim
Once this threshold is met, you may seek damages beyond what PIP covers, including pain and suffering.
What If Farm Bureau Denies Your Claim?
Claims may be denied for reasons such as missed deadlines, disputes over fault, or insufficient evidence. If this happens, you still have options. You can submit additional documentation, file a lawsuit if your injuries qualify, or look to other coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
This is often the point where accident victims in South Florida seek guidance from a lawyer. Insurance companies frequently undervalue cases, and legal representation can make a meaningful difference.
Protect Your Farm Bureau Claim After a Car Accident in South Florida
Filing a claim with Florida Farm Bureau Insurance may seem straightforward, but insurance companies often work to limit what they pay. If you were involved in a car accident in Palm Beach County or anywhere in South Florida, DiBiaggio Law can stand between you and the tactics used to undervalue claims. West Palm Beach injury attorney Deirdre DiBiaggio has built a practice focused on representing victims of auto accidents, truck accidents, and other serious cases throughout the region.
When you bring your case to our firm, you can count on legal representation that is prepared to hold Farm Bureau accountable and fight for compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries. Call (561) 473-9800 or complete our online form today to schedule your free initial consultation.
While you wait for your consultation, we invite you to read our testimonials from real clients.
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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
DiBiaggio Law
605 Belvedere Road, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 473-9800
https://www.dibiaggiolaw.com
