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Fix-it guides 路 Body, Glass and Sun Damage

What to do after a fender bender in Florida: reporting, PIP and repairs

By the Boca Auto Care Editorial Team 路 Reviewed October 28, 2026 路 How we write guides

Short answer

Stop, check for injuries, move the cars out of traffic if they can be driven, exchange information and photograph everything. Florida law requires an immediate report to police for any injury or apparent damage of $500 or more, which covers nearly every modern bumper hit. If anyone feels hurt, get medical care within 14 days or you can lose personal injury protection benefits. This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice.

Get it checked soonA small crash creates deadlines: an immediate police report for qualifying crashes, a written self-report to FLHSMV within 10 days for crashes that do not require a police report, and the 14-day window to start medical care for PIP. Pay attention to those first, then sort out the repair.

Most fender benders happen at low speed: a rear-end tap in stop-and-go traffic on Glades Road, a backing collision at a Publix lot, a merge scrape on I-95. They feel minor, and that is exactly when drivers skip steps that later cost them money. Florida has specific rules about stopping, reporting and insurance claims, and a few deadlines that are easy to miss.

We based this guide on the 2025 Florida Statutes as published by the Florida Senate and on FLHSMV's crash reporting pages. It is general information, not legal advice. Every crash is different, and if anyone is injured or fault is disputed, a Florida-licensed attorney and your insurer are the right people to ask.

One point is unclear in the official sources, and we would rather say so than guess. Section 316.065 of the statutes says a crash with apparent damage of at least $500 must be reported immediately to police. FLHSMV's own crash report page lists $2,000 of apparent damage among the situations where you must call law enforcement. The statute is the law, and either way, almost any visible bumper damage on a modern car exceeds $500, so calling is the safe choice.

Symptoms

  • A bumper scuff or crack after a low-speed hit in a parking lot or traffic
  • Panel gaps that look uneven, or a trunk or hood that no longer closes smoothly
  • Parking sensor, blind-spot or cruise control warnings after the impact
  • A headlight or taillight cracked or knocked out of alignment
  • The steering wheel off center or the car pulling after a wheel was hit
  • Neck or back stiffness that shows up the next morning

Likely causes and what they cost

1. Bumper cover scuffs, cracks or broken clips

$300-$800 to repair and refinish; $600-$1,500 to replace and paint a cover
common 路 Shop job

Plastic bumper covers absorb most low-speed hits. They scuff, crack or pop their mounting clips. The cover may look fine from a distance while tabs behind it are broken.

The fix: Repair and refinish the cover, or replace it and paint to match. Broken clips and brackets are replaced.

2. Damage behind the bumper cover

$200-$900 in added parts and labor
common 路 Shop job

Under the cover sit a foam absorber and a metal reinforcement bar. A firm hit can crush the absorber or bend the bar without much visible damage outside. These parts matter for how the car handles the next crash.

The fix: Remove the cover for inspection and replace damaged absorbers, brackets or reinforcement.

3. Sensors and cameras in the bumper or grille

$300-$1,500 or more on top of body work
common 路 Shop job

Parking sensors, blind-spot radar and front radar for adaptive cruise are often mounted in or behind the bumper. AAA's 2023 study of three 2023 models found ADAS parts and calibration averaged $684 of a $1,698 minor rear-collision repair, about 40 percent.

The fix: Replace damaged sensors and brackets, then calibrate radar and cameras to factory specifications.

4. Lights and grille

$150-$600 for a typical halogen or taillight assembly; $800-$2,000 or more for LED headlight assemblies
less common 路 Shop job

Corner impacts often crack a headlight or taillight housing or break its mounting tabs. Modern LED assemblies are costly.

The fix: Replace the assembly or repair tabs with a tab repair kit if the lens is intact.

5. Wheel, suspension or alignment damage

$100-$200 for an alignment; $250-$900 for a bent tie rod or control arm
less common 路 Shop job

A hit to a wheel or curb strike during the crash can bend a tie rod or control arm or knock the alignment out. The car may pull or the steering wheel may sit off center.

The fix: Inspection, replacement of bent parts and a wheel alignment.

Costs are typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only.

What you can check yourself

  1. 1
    Stop and check for injuries

    Florida law requires you to stop at or near the scene. Leaving a crash with property damage is a second-degree misdemeanor under s. 316.061. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.

  2. 2
    Move the cars out of traffic if they drive

    Section 316.061 requires a reasonable effort to move a damaged car that blocks traffic, and says moving it does not by itself make you at fault. Turn on hazard lights. Do not stand between cars or in a live lane.

  3. 3
    Call the right agency

    Inside Boca Raton city limits, call Boca Raton Police. In unincorporated areas, call the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. On I-95 or the Turnpike, Florida Highway Patrol usually responds. Use 911 for injuries, hit-and-run, a suspected impaired driver, a car that needs a tow or blocked lanes.

  4. 4
    Exchange information

    Under s. 316.062, drivers must give their name, address and vehicle registration number and show their license if asked. Also get the insurance company and policy number, the other car's make, model and plate, and witness names and phone numbers.

  5. 5
    Photograph the scene

    Take wide shots showing car positions, lanes and signals, then close-ups of all damage, the other car's plate and its insurance card. Photograph the inside of the bumper area too if parts are hanging.

  6. 6
    Self-report a crash that did not need police

    Under s. 316.066(1)(e), the driver in a crash that damaged a vehicle or property but does not require a law enforcement report must send FLHSMV a written report within 10 days. FLHSMV accepts form HSMV 90011S, Driver Report of Traffic Crash, by email to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov or by mail. If an officer did write a short-form report or handed you an exchange form, ask the officer whether you still need to file, because the statute does not spell out that overlap. Keep a copy of anything you send.

When to take it to a shop

  • If you feel any pain, see a doctor within 14 days. Under s. 627.736, PIP medical benefits require initial care within 14 days of the crash, and benefits are capped at $2,500 unless a qualified provider finds an emergency medical condition.
  • If fault is disputed or someone is injured, talk to a Florida-licensed attorney before giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
  • Have a body shop remove the bumper cover and look behind it, even if damage looks cosmetic. Hidden damage found later can be harder to add to a claim.
  • If your car has driver assistance features, ask the shop how it will calibrate sensors and request the calibration report with the invoice.
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The Florida factor

Florida is a no-fault PIP state. Each driver's own personal injury protection, at least $10,000, pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. Property damage is different: the at-fault driver's property damage liability pays for your car, and Florida's minimum is only $10,000. FLHSMV does not list bodily injury liability as a general requirement for private cars, so many drivers carry little beyond the minimum. Uninsured motorist and collision coverage on your own policy matter here.

Two 2023 changes from HB 837, Chapter 2023-15, affect fender benders. Florida moved to modified comparative negligence: under s. 768.81(6), a party found more than 50 percent at fault for their own harm cannot recover damages in most negligence cases. And s. 95.11 now gives two years, not four, to file a negligence lawsuit. Both rules reward documenting the crash well on day one.

Local traffic patterns shape these crashes. Rear-end collisions are common in the stop-and-go stretches of Glades Road near Town Center, on Palmetto Park Road and on Federal Highway, and parking lot collisions spike in season when snowbirds return and lots fill. When you choose a repair shop, Florida's Motor Vehicle Repair Act, s. 559.905, generally requires a written estimate before work over $150, and s. 626.9743 protects your right to choose the shop rather than being required to use the insurer's.

Notes for specific makes

  • Tesla: Teslas use many cameras and ultrasonic or vision-based parking systems, and some repairs require Tesla-approved body shops for parts access and calibration. Check that the shop you choose can get parts and complete calibration before you authorize work.
  • Ford: F-150 models from 2015 on use aluminum body panels, which need a shop with aluminum repair training and dedicated tools. Ask before you drop the truck off.
  • Toyota: Toyota Safety Sense radar is mounted behind the front emblem or lower grille on many models. Even a light front bump can misalign it, and the repair needs a radar aim after body work.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call the police for a minor crash in Florida?

Under s. 316.065, you must report immediately if anyone is hurt or if apparent damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more. In practice that covers most bumper damage. For a damage crash that does not require a law enforcement report, s. 316.066 requires the driver to file a written report with FLHSMV within 10 days.

Should I settle a fender bender without insurance?

Some drivers do for very small damage. The risks are that hidden damage costs more than expected, the other driver changes their mind, or an injury appears days later. You still have legal reporting duties regardless of how you pay.

How do I get a copy of the crash report?

FLHSMV sells crash reports through the Florida Crash Portal for $10 per report plus a $2 convenience fee. Reports can take up to 10 days to appear. Crash reports are confidential except to the parties involved and certain others.

Will a minor crash raise my insurance rate?

An at-fault crash often does, and the amount depends on your insurer. A not-at-fault crash usually affects rates less. Ask your agent how your specific insurer treats it before deciding whether to file a claim.

Can the insurer pick my body shop?

An insurer can recommend network shops and pay its agreed rates, but Florida law, s. 626.9743, generally protects your choice of shop. If an insurer requires a particular shop, that shop must restore the car to its pre-loss condition.

Related guides

How do I read a car repair estimate, and what are my rights in Florida?
Check four things: labor hours times the hourly rate, the type of each part, any diagnostic or shop-supply fees, and the warranty terms. In Florida, a shop must offer you a written estimate for work over $150, and it cannot bill more than the greater of $10 or 10% over that estimate, capped at $50, without your approval.
How do I choose a good mechanic in Boca Raton?
Pick a shop before you need one: confirm its Florida FDACS registration, look for ASE-certified technicians and experience with your make, read reviews for repeated complaints rather than single bad ones, and try it with an oil change. A good shop explains what it found, gives a written estimate, and stands behind its work with a written warranty of at least 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Why does my car pull to one side when I drive?
The most common reasons a car pulls to one side are uneven tire pressure, an alignment knocked out by a pothole or curb, and a tire with an internal defect that steers the car. Check the pressures first because it is free, then have the alignment measured. A pull that gets stronger when you brake is a brake problem, not an alignment problem.
Does insurance pay for windshield replacement in Florida, and what changed in 2023?
If your policy includes comprehensive coverage, Florida law says the deductible does not apply to windshield damage, so a replacement or chip repair usually costs you nothing out of pocket. Since policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2023, you can no longer sign your glass claim over to a shop through an assignment of benefits, and shops may no longer offer cash or gifts for filing a claim. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Why is the clear coat peeling on my car, and can it be fixed without a full repaint?
Clear coat peels because years of UV exposure break down the clear layer until it loses its grip on the color coat beneath. Once it is actually flaking, no polish or wax will fix it: the panel has to be sanded and refinished, typically $400-$900 per panel in South Florida. If the clear is only dull or chalky and not yet lifting, a polish and sealant can buy a year or more.

More on this job: Auto Body & Collision in Boca Raton, costs and how to choose a shop

Sources

General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.