Demystifying Auto Insurance Coverage in Florida: Your Essential Guide
Understanding auto insurance in Florida is crucial due to the state’s unique driving conditions and legal requirements.
Having the right coverage is essential with high traffic rates and frequent weather-related incidents.
5 minutes Reading time.
What you will find in this article:
- Mandatory Coverages
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- Property Damage Liability (PD or PDL)
- Optional Coverages
- Medical Payments (MedPay)
- Bodily Injury Liability (BI or BIL)
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- Collision Coverage
- Comprehensive Coverage
- Conclusions
As an auto accident attorney, I’m frequently asked, ‘What auto insurance coverage should I buy in Florida?’ My response is always, ‘It depends on your unique circumstances.’
Your auto insurance coverage should be tailored to your needs, considering factors such as:
- Driving record
- Driving Habits
- The year, brand, and model of your vehicle
- Your unique financial situation.
I will provide general information about Florida’s most common auto insurance coverages, which are difficult for most people to understand. The list is not meant to be exhaustive, and nothing written here should be considered legal advice.
Mandatory Coverages
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection pays 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It also pays for other accident-related expenses, such as transportation to medical appointments.
For example, if you’re injured in an accident and need emergency medical care, PIP can help cover most of your medical expenses.
PIP pays up to $10,000.00, and you may select a deductible, usually $250, $500, or $1,000.00.
It’s important to note that in most cases, your insurance policy will provide you with PIP benefits, NOT the insurance company of the other drivers involved in the accident, and this is the case even when you did not cause the accident.
PIP also provides up to $5,000.00 in death benefits. Beneficiaries of a person killed in a traffic accident may receive $5,000.00 to cover funeral and burial expenses.
Property Damage Liability (PD or PDL)
Property Damage Liability pays for damages that you or someone else driving your vehicle cause to another person’s property, usually their car, due to an accident. PDL pays only for damages caused to others and only when you are wholly or partially at fault for the accident.
Florida law requires a minimum of $10,000 in PDL. If the cost of damages exceeds your coverage, you may be held personally responsible for the remaining balance.
Most vehicles in Florida are worth more than $10,000.00, so buying more than $10,000.00 in PD coverage is a good idea.
Optional Coverages
Medical Payments (MedPay)
Medical Payments coverage supplements PIP in Florida. MedPay often covers the 20% of medical bills that PIP doesn’t cover.
After an auto accident, especially if, God forbid, you have to go to a hospital, you may receive a bill for thousands of dollars even after PIP pays 80% of the bill.
This is where MedPay comes in. It pays or helps cover what PIP doesn’t pay. Most insurance companies offer MedPay in various amounts, such as $2,000.00, $5,000.00, or $10,000.00.
Bodily Injury Liability (BI or BIL)
Bodily Injury Liability (BI or BIL) covers medical expenses for injuries you or someone driving your vehicle cause to others due to an accident.
It pays money only when you, or the driver of your vehicle, are at fault for the auto accident.
Florida does not require BIL, but it is highly recommended. Minimum limits typically start at $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) compensates you for injuries sustained in an auto accident when another driver is at fault. That driver does not have insurance, Bodily Injury Liability coverage, or has only insufficient Bodily Injury Liability.
It also covers you in hit-and-run cases, where the driver who hits your vehicle leaves the accident scene. I always recommend that people carry this coverage.
In my years as an auto accident lawyer, I have seen many cases where the driver at fault for an accident doesn’t have insurance or appropriate coverage.
Because Bodily Injury Liability isn’t required in Florida, I recommend that everyone buy UM.
Collision Coverage
Collision Coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle after an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault. This insurance is especially important if you have a newer or high-value car, especially if you financed your vehicle and are still making car payments, in which case the lender most likely will require you to have this coverage.
Collision coverage pays for repairs to your car and when your car suffers a total loss after an accident. It also protects your vehicle in case of a crash with another car or with another object, such as a tree or a fence.
Given how many people drive on Florida’s roads without insurance, I recommend this coverage to anyone who wishes to protect themselves from losing their vehicles or paying high repair costs.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision incidents. These may include theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, and hitting an animal.
For instance, if your car is stolen or damaged by a hurricane, comprehensive coverage will help cover repairs or replacement costs.
As with Collision, you should buy Comprehensive coverage to protect yourself from losing your vehicle or paying high repair costs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the complexities of auto insurance coverage in Florida can be daunting. However, by understanding the essential and optional coverages available, you can tailor your policy to suit your needs best and protect yourself financially.
Whether you’re dealing with medical bills from an accident, repairs to your vehicle, or damages caused by unforeseen events, the right insurance coverage can provide peace of mind and financial security.
Always consult a knowledgeable insurance agent to ensure you have the appropriate coverage for your unique situation.
At The Law Offices of Ernesto Gonzalez, we’re here to help you make informed decisions and protect your interests on the road. Contact us for further guidance or legal concerns about auto accidents and insurance claims. Contact us today for a free consultation to review your auto insurance policy and ensure you’re fully protected on the road. Drive safely and stay protected!
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Ernesto Gonzalez, P.A. Law Offices specialize in personal injury, auto accidents, and immigration. Attorney Ernesto Gonzalez fights for victims' rights with a successful track record in auto accident cases and immigration
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