The state of Florida requires all drivers to be insured, but is the minimum enough? NOT REALLY. In an accident with bodily injuries caused by you, then you may be considered an uninsured driver in Florida! Any responsible person should insure their car in the event of an accident. HOWEVER, in Florida, the bare minimum insurance does not require you to purchase protection for some very basic accident scenarios. PIP/PD is what is required by law at this time. The minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage are: $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL). The PIP covers your own medical bills sustained in a motor vehicle accident at 80% in addition to any applicable deductible. PD Liability covers the damage caused to another car, fence, electrical pole, etc. that was caused by your negligent driving. Customers of insurance misunderstand the meaning of “full” coverage, Lawyers as well as Insurance Agents often use the term “full coverage” to mean the bare minimum protection required by law. Again, in Florida, that equals to $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL).
You need car insurance to drive in Florida. If you’re caught driving without auto coverage, the state might fine you, suspend your license and registration, make you file an SR-22 or even put you in jail. Further, your premiums may go up a great deal when you buy an auto insurance policy.
You may think that if you have the minimum insurance required by Florida law, you are covered after a car accident. In fact, without bodily injury liability coverage, you are very likely to be personally responsible for medical bills or other damages to other parties resulting from a car accident for which you were negligent or legally responsible for causing.
Other coverages you should consider, in addition to Bodily Injury coverage, are Uninsured Motorist(UM-for your own injuries caused by a negligent third part who has no insurance, no bodily injury coverage or inadequate coverage), Comprehensive & Collision(for your own car damage), and there are others. You should figure what types of coverage you wish to have and shop around for the best deal possible for the most coverages you can afford.
CASERTA & SPIRITI can provide important information that every driver in Florida should know. If you’re now wondering “if you are adequately insured,” the attorneys at our law firm can help you answer that question.