File Claim or Pay Out of Pocket for Slip and Fall Liability

[Zeb B.]

Over the last 10 years I have acquired and leased out several single family houses and duplexes. I have never filed and insurance claim on any of them.

This spring, a delivery driver slipped and fell making a delivery at one of my properties. I exchanged contact information with his supervisor, who said the driver went to the ER, got and X-ray and did not need further treatment.

I just got a letter from the company's insurance carrier stating that I am liable for about $1500 in medical payments and requesting I either pay up or forward them my insurance company's contact information. Given the low dollar amount, I an wondering if it is better to pay out of pocket and not file a claim with my insurance company. (The motivation would be to avoid increasing my future insurance rates)

If I decide to pay out of pocket are there any pitfalls I need to avoid?

Is there any way to require the other insurance company to waive the ability to make future demands for the incident as a condition of paying the amount they are requesting?