Accidents within the bubble

[Drrichross]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?

[Bogie Shooter]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?

Officer probably wrong.

[retiredguy123]

Your post needs some clarification. First, The Villages is not a gated community. Second, if the other driver admits fault, then her insurance should cover the damage, or she should pay for it out-of-pocket. If she cannot or will not pay for the damage, then you should be able to file a claim against your own policy under either collision or uninsured motorist coverage. I don't understand how a police report would be helpful.

[Bill14564]

Depending on which area you were in, I would contact the Sumter County Sheriff or WIldwood Police on their non-emergency number to learn what needs to be done to get a report. It might also be useful to contact your insurance company and ask if a report is really necessary in this case.

The local sheriff/police certainly do respond to gated communities for serious crime. They may not respond to truly gated communities for traffic incidents since the roads within truly gated communities are private roads and not public roads. In any case, that is moot since the Villages is not a gated community and *most* of the roads are public roads.

[golfing eagles]

Did the accident occur in a Villa neighborhood. I believe those roads are considered private

[Taltarzac725]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?

They would have your address so it does sound like we need more information as Golfing Eagles asked.

[MrFlorida]

An accident report is required for your insurance company to prove that you had damage to your car. The police do come out or send a civilian traffic investigator to take that report, I've seen them in the Villlages before.... also this is a no fault state, so your insurance company covers the damage to your car, I know first hand, had somebody rear end me on 441, cop said my insurance covers, not theirs.

[Drrichross]

They would have your address so it does sound like we need more information as Golfing Eagles asked.

We are not in a villa, we are in Woodbury. She parked on the street and the cleaning lady pulled out of the house across the street and didn't turn enough. Admitted she was wrong and told my wife not to call police or insurance offering $100. The door is off line and won't lock, so not an option. Accident happened at 4:00 so wife called non emergency number but they said too close to 5 when they stop so told her to call 911. 2 hours later no police so she called again at which point police officer called her and said they "don't respond to gated community " she told them this was the villages and all they had to do was "push the red button " he said that didn't matter, just exchange information. Like I said, in the past on a trip to disney in a rain storm a work dump truck decided to go into reverse at a red light and crunched into my rental. He took off, claiming he wasn't aware. We had to chase him down, exchanged information like we do in Michigan and left. When I contacted the rental company they said we needed a police report, but that was obviously too late. I know some states (NJ when I lived there) are not "no fault" states and insurance wants police report. Our agent in Michigan is trying to figure out if insurance here will cover or if we are on the hook and have to go after the driver, in which case I would assume a police report would come in handy. I am back home in Michigan so was just wondering what the protocol was for accidents in the villages. Maybe cop didn't want to be bothered. I'll ask if she got his name. Doubt it as she was cold and passed off as she watched it happen.

[Taltarzac725]

We are not in a villa, we are in Woodbury. She parked on the street and the cleaning lady pulled out of the house across the street and didn't turn enough. Admitted she was wrong and told my wife not to call police or insurance offering $100. The door is off line and won't lock, so not an option. Accident happened at 4:00 so wife called non emergency number but they said too close to 5 when they stop so told her to call 911. 2 hours later no police so she called again at which point police officer called her and said they "don't respond to gated community " she told them this was the villages and all they had to do was "push the red button " he said that didn't matter, just exchange information. Like I said, in the past on a trip to disney in a rain storm a work dump truck decided to go into reverse at a red light and crunched into my rental. He took off, claiming he wasn't aware. We had to chase him down, exchanged information like we do in Michigan and left. When I contacted the rental company they said we needed a police report, but that was obviously too late. I know some states (NJ when I lived there) are not "no fault" states and insurance wants police report. Our agent in Michigan is trying to figure out if insurance here will cover or if we are on the hook and have to go after the driver, in which case I would assume a police report would come in handy. I am back home in Michigan so was just wondering what the protocol was for accidents in the villages. Maybe cop didn't want to be bothered. I'll ask if she got his name. Doubt it as she was cold and passed off as she watched it happen.

I would try to get the cleaning lady's information from your neighbor. I think you need her insurance information.


I got in a minor accident when buying a Nothing Bundtcake a while back. We exchanged information but decided not to call the police as no injuries were involved. I admitted fault.


The cleaning lady obviously does not want her insurance to go up. But she was at fault.

[CarlR33]

I would probably have called the rental agency number listed your the rental contract for their expectations (probably will say you need a police report). You need to have a 24/7 number for your insurance company provider not just the local Michigan agent’s 9-5 er. In the end take pictures of the accident scene, pictures of license plate of other driver, their drivers license, etc. My 2 cents.

[Taltarzac725]

I see you have a letter from the cleaning lady. Does it have her insurance information? That should be enough. It was for our insurance when I backed into a door of a car in my blind spot. This was in Lady Lake near the Nothing Bundtcake place and maybe about 4 years ago.


There were no injuries so it did not look like we needed a police report. I believe the lady in the car I hit called her insurance and they told her we did not have to call the police.

[Drrichross]

Thanks for the info. Yesterday wasn't a rental, that was a few years ago. She called our agent last night, so we have his info, actually a friend. He just wasn't sure if there were different rules in Florida. She got photos of car, cleaning lady license, insurance, etc. Hopefully all is good. Down side is She is flying back home this morning, so now needs to plan a trip back soon to get the car fixed. Poor gal 🤣

[Taltarzac725]

Google Florida Highway Safety and accident insurance. It does look like you need to file something. Both parties involved in the crash. Even with no injuries. You are required to call the police if injuries are involved.


Self report crash seems to apply to you.

[vintageogauge]

Thanks for the info. Yesterday wasn't a rental, that was a few years ago. She called our agent last night, so we have his info, actually a friend. He just wasn't sure if there were different rules in Florida. She got photos of car, cleaning lady license, insurance, etc. Hopefully all is good. Down side is She is flying back home this morning, so now needs to plan a trip back soon to get the car fixed. Poor gal ������

Their insurance should cover towing it to a body shop.. I would recommend Car Guys. Then get a neighbor to pick it up for you and put it in your garage offering to buy them dinner when you get back down.

[Taltarzac725]

I would be interested in seeing how this self reporting works?

[retiredguy123]

I don't think you need a police report in this case. If the cleaning lady has insurance, her insurance should pay for the damage. If not, then you can file a claim under your collision insurance. A photo of the damage should be sufficient to prove the damage. If your insurance company requires a police report to prove that your car was damaged, I would find another insurance company. Typically, the police do not respond to this type of accident. Your insurance company can sue the cleaning lady, but they probably won't.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Thanks for the info. Yesterday wasn't a rental, that was a few years ago. She called our agent last night, so we have his info, actually a friend. He just wasn't sure if there were different rules in Florida. She got photos of car, cleaning lady license, insurance, etc. Hopefully all is good. Down side is She is flying back home this morning, so now needs to plan a trip back soon to get the car fixed. Poor gal ������

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.

[Bill14564]

Florida's no-fault status does NOT apply to property damage. Florida's no-fault status ONLY applies to personal injury, property damage is still covered as at-fault. (according to five out of five law firm websites)

[ElDiabloJoe]

If the desk officer knew you were in The Villages, he may have been "screening" the calls. I've seen some refuse to write a report. Even if there is no crime, an "information only" report can be written. Kinda weird, but cops write lots of reports, but many hate them.

Some see traffic reports as doing the insurance companies jobs for them when they could be out conducting speed enforcement which is proven to reduce accidents and save lives.

If the desk officer legitimately thought you were in a gated community then normally he would be correct. Generally law enforcement does not respond to traffic issues on private roads or in private communities.

They can enforce traffic infractions, but rarely do so unless community request, outrage, etc. That's because private communities are just that. They focus their efforts on public roads, where state grants, death rates, probable cause, etc. all come into play.

[Stu from NYC]

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.

If the other river is clearly at fault why would your insurance go up if you let your insurance company handle the claim?

[Drrichross]

[QUOTE=OrangeBlossomBaby;2414362]This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.


This all falls down when the police refuse to come because they said it was a gated community. Despite being given the address and both 911 and the officer (who called on his cell) being told it was The Villages. I guess part of my post was to see if anyone else had similar experience in a non injury, non violent interaction with police for accident in the bubble. Also to see if anyone knew of the florida process.

[Topspinmo]

I would be interested in seeing how this self reporting works?


I sure after rate going up? That door could be 2 plus grand to fix. Or 400 from junk yard if find color match.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

whip out the phone and start taking pictures

[asianthree]

Here’s how your auto insurance from MI works. Michigan is a no fault state. Your insurance will pay to fix your car with no deductibles.

Your insurance will then contact the insurance company from the person who caused the accident. Not all insurance companies ask for a police report, so your agent will have the adjuster notify as to if they want a police report. If so you can just go to their office and file the report.

[Gn'Me]

I avoid parking directly across from my neighbors driveway for this very reason.

[jimmy o]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?
Yes Florida is a No Fault state. No, you do not need a police report for minor no injury accidents. It was because the accident you referred to involved a rental that the report was needed. The rental company required it.

[dewilson58]

Accidents within the Bubble..............it Depends.

[Cooperthecat]

I tell people to always start a video and take a lot of pictures at an accident scene. Stories change when the at fault driver talks to someone later. The video confession, witness statements and the accident scene are indisputable evidence when captured on video. I was hit twice and lost insurance coverage for 3 years. The 1st accident I was a passenger and the 2nd I was stopped at a red light. I had to buy a motorcycle to get around. I couldn't get insurance from over 30 insurance companies until the 1st accident was 3 years old.

[coleprice]

Your insurance is irrelevant . . . You should have obtained the insurance information from the person that hit your car because they are responsible for paying for the damage. You needed to obtain her auto insurance and employer information. Since she was at fault her insurance, or her employer's insurance would have paid for damages.

[La lamy]

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.

Excellent info!

[ElDiabloJoe]

Accidents within the Bubble..............it Depends.
I see what you did there - Either #1 or #2. Maybe both. :a20:

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.
^ This is excellent advice. However, I would let MY insurance company deal with her insurance company, I am not going to deal with them directly.

[jimhoward]

Note to self: When parking in the street don’t pick a spot across from anyone’s driveway even if that means a long walk.

The possible accident is the other persons fault, but it is still a hassle.

[DAVES]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?

It is always a hassle. The right thing to do? Hopefully, it is not like it happens often enough in this state for you to know what page on the rule book covers this issue. All of us surely have a copy of the rule book and carry it with you at all times. OK TO LAUGH NOW. I would take pictures. Your car and theirs as well as the other driver.

Many years ago. I was legally parked in the last spot of a row. My door was opened and I was unloading a lot of stuff. Someone decided to squeeze by. Their right mirror caught my door. When a door opens it extends further out. My door was practically ripped off my car. I took pictures. I noticed a guy, from a cable company was on a ladder, saw the whole thing and was laughing. Insurance company. My insurance covered a rental car. ADVENTURE. Insurance company. Had bill for rental car-did it cheaply as possible-rent a wreck Insurance company we'll see what we can do. I called the witness. The insurance company never contacted him. When settled the insurance company raised my rate by ? like 30%. I was tol they had me at a wrong rate. Not sure if other insurance companies are better. But, that is why that company with the Lizard cannot sell me insurance 30 years later.

POINT. You are innocent not even in the car. One who hit your car seems NOW to be honest. It is highly unlikely the accident report says, I was distracted, didn't look AND IT IS MY FAULT. Repairs to your car. It is your choice of where to get your car repairer. You want it done right. NEW QUALITY PARTS. If, you look around a parking lot. You can easily see cars that were hit and repaired. You cannot collect that LOSS to resale value.

[grumpy@turton.us]

An accident report is required for your insurance company to prove that you had damage to your car. The police do come out or send a civilian traffic investigator to take that report, I've seen them in the Villlages before.... also this is a no fault state, so your insurance company covers the damage to your car, I know first hand, had somebody rear end me on 441, cop said my insurance covers, not theirs.
First a police report is not required but is nice to have. Just take pictures of all vehicles, license and insurance cards.
If you have their insurance information you can file directly with them.
If there is push back you can go through your own insurance and if they determine you are not at fault they will go after the others insurance to get all the money back. Including any deductible you may have had to pay.
I know this as I just went through the whole process start to finish.

[DAVES]

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.

Unfortunately a lot of assumptions. First that the other driver has a license AND IS INSURED. Secondly that they will wait for the police to show up because you asked them too. Sounds like some experience.
Best accidents are the ones that don't happen. Once it did happen as in the case of the original poster, it will be a PAIN that all will wish didn't happen under the best of circumstances.

[HIgolfers]

This is like - basic stuff that anyone who has a car should do.
You call 911. You do NOT talk to the driver of the other vehicle other than to tell them to wait for the police.
The police don't answer 911, the emergency services dispatcher does. You tell them there was a car accident at [insert address], with damage to at least one vehicle, and no one appears to be injured. You let them ask questions, answer them simply and truthfully, without adding in information that has nothing to do with the need for police or the situation.
The police will come, because it was sent by 911 services. They might be there within a half hour since there are no known injuries.

They'll take your statement, they'll take the cleaning lady's statement. They'll check insurance cards and ensure that the insurance information has been exchanged. You'll give them your e-mail address. They'll submit the report when they get back to the station and e-mail the report to you. If they don't take the e-mail info you can call the PD's non-emergency number and request the report, which they'll provide to you.

You call THE CLEANING LADY'S insurance company - not yours. To tell them that the cleaning lady drove into your car, and you will have a police report made available to them as soon as you receive it. You do this within 48 hours of the accident so it's on file.

When you send them the report copy (a file, by e-mail or fax), do /not/ let them convince you to do your own appraisal of the damages with your cell phone camera. Tell them you want someone to come out. Insist on it. If you do it yourself they will devalue and offer you a low-ball cash settlement that will NOT cover the cost of repairs. If they tell you to go ahead and just bring it to a repair shop, make sure the repair shop is in touch with the cleaning lady's insurance to get the damage repair cost approved before he starts the work.

If you try to go through your insurance to get this done, YOUR premiums will go up.

How does this help with the OP’s situation? They called the police and police would not come.

[Spinnaker]

We are villages part timers. We live in Michigan but come down ever couple months for a week or 2. We drove a car down in January to have so we can do some florida exploring this year with plans to drive back in May. Yesterday my wife had parked on the street because she was cleaning out the garage. The cleaning lady from across the street decided to not pay attention and backed right into the drivers door. We are in a no fault state where you usually just exchange insurance info in cases of minor accidents, but from a previous experience of having a rental hit by a work truck we learned that in Florida you need to get a police report. So my wife called 911 to get an officer for report while exchange of information, only to be called back an hour later by the officer who told her they don't respond to "gated communities". He wouldn't tell her what to do. Is this true? It was after 6pm so our insurance agent in Michigan said he'd look things up and get back to us. She did get a letter signed by other driver admitting fault. But who do we call for a report to submit?
I had similar experience and body shop handled everything for me with no issues.
Other insurance company paid.

[cucaracha]

A police report is required by my insurance policy and I imagine by most.That shows who’s at fault and determines what would be covered. But

[cucaracha]

Also the officer might be rookie who doesn’t really know about the Villages and the protocols. Call his superiors not to punish him but to get the correct information and the police report for your o durance.

[HappyTraveler]

However, I would let MY insurance company deal with her insurance company, I am not going to deal with them directly.
There is no reason to ever involve (or even notify) your insurance company of damage to an asset they insure unless you will be making a claim. If someone else damages your property - you get their insurance to pay and deal with them directly.

Insurers are not our friends. I can't state that strongly enough.

[HappyTraveler]

If the other driver is clearly at fault why would your insurance go up if you let your insurance company handle the claim?

Perhaps because it cost YOUR insurance company the money. And parking across from a driveway is never a good idea.

I avoid parking directly across from my neighbors driveway for this very reason. Indeed. Best idea is to not park across the street from any driveway anywhere.

[vintageogauge]

If the other driver later contests it you will be glad to have the police report so that you are not on record as causing the accident, no fault or not it's still on your insurance record if you caused the accident.

[kkingston57]

Officer probably wrong.

Agree. Accident is still a civil matter as to who is responsible. Poster needs to see if the cleaning womans insurance company will handle the claim. The driver hit a parked car. If they do not handle the case writer needs to submit claim to his own company and let them subrogate the claim