What are Florida's Auto Insurance Requirements?

Understanding Florida Insurance Mandates

When you get in your car, turn on the ignition, and head out on the road, the last thing you’re thinking about is getting into a car crash. While you may feel secure that you have the proper car insurance should you be involved in a car accident, the question is, “Do you have enough protection from your policy?” Read on to learn more about Florida’s minimum requirements and other insurance provisions that may offer additional benefits.

Florida’s Minimum Insurance Requirements

Before you can register a motor vehicle in Florida (this means a vehicle with four wheels), proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) auto insurance must be shown. Here’s a breakdown of how each one works within your auto insurance policy:

Personal Injury Protection

In the event of a car accident, PIP coverage helps pay for medical expenses related to your sustained injuries. In Florida, PIP insurance covers you whether or not you are at fault in a crash, up to the limits of your policy. Your PIP insurance will also cover passengers in your car. PIP insurance may cover but is not limited to the following if you are injured in a crash:

• Medical treatment
• Medical transport
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospitalization
• Surgery

It’s important to understand that PIP insurance covers 80% of medical expenses up to $10,000. Based on the minimum coverage, here is an example: if your medical expenses total $8,000, then PIP would cover $6,400. If your medical expenses totaled over $10,000, then PIP would pay 80% up to the limit of $10,000.

Coverage Extension for PIP

Extending PIP insurance to family members in your household may be necessary if you have children who drive or other family members living with you that may be using your vehicle. Speak to your insurance broker should you need this type of coverage.

Read More:How Does PIP Insurance Work in Florida?

Property Damage Liability

PDL insurance is coverage that helps pay to repair the damage you have caused to another vehicle or property. For example, PDL will pay for bumper or headlight repairs to the other vehicle and damage to property that was hit, such as a fence or front of a building.

In addition to having PIP and PDL insurance, registered vehicles in Florida must:

• Have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP insurance.
• Have a minimum of $10,000 in PDL insurance.
• Have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or inoperable. If you need to cancel your insurance, surrender your license plates before cancellation.
• Have a policy that was purchased by a Florida licensed insurance carrier. If you’ve recently moved to Florida, ask your insurance agent to transfer your current policy to a Florida policy.
• Maintain Florida insurance coverage throughout the registration period.

If you own a registered taxi, you must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 in PDL coverage.

Should You Add the “Extras?”

While it may be cheaper to have the bare minimum insurance coverage, there are some policy provisions you may want to consider. Here are some of the “extras” and why you may want to add the following to your insurance policy.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

While UM coverage is not required in Florida, adding this to your policy can be beneficial. Should you be involved in an accident with another motorist who is uninsured or has inadequate insurance coverage, you can be spared some out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Disability
• Long-term care
• Medical devices

It may also cover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death.

Read more:Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Necessary in Florida?

Collision Coverage

Like PDL insurance mentioned above, collision insurance is coverage to help repair or replace your vehicle when involved in an accident. It can also cover you in a single-vehicle accident — for example, if you hit a guardrail or have a rollover crash. Collision insurance is not a type of insurance; it’s a policy provision. While you can add collision to any vehicle, typically, collision coverage is required if your car is leased or financed. Collision typically includes coverage for the following:

• Accidents with other vehicles such as motorcycles, RVs, bicycles, etc.
• Hitting objects such as telephone poles, guardrails, mailboxes, etc.
• Overturning your vehicle (rollover crash)
• Damage from a hit-and-run (including parking lots)

If you are unsure what type of coverage you need, speak with your insurance broker about what insurance policy is best for you. If you’ve been involved in a crash, and fear you don’t have enough coverage for medical expenses and therapies, an experienced car accident attorney can help protect your rights to receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Us Today.

Sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle crash is a harrowing event, and when it causes serious injuries, it can make it that much more devastating. When you need help after a car accident, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Our personal injury attorneys are here to help you seek justice and hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions. We have helped countless Floridians receive the compensation they deserve, and we want to do the same for you.

Contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A.today at (888) 499-6206 to schedule a free consultation.