Although a requirement for licensed drivers in Florida, countless people get behind the wheel every day without car insurance. This negligent choice directly affects you and other drivers on the road. If an uninsured driver causes an accident and you suffer injuries, they have no way to pay for your injuries. Left to pay out of pocket, you could be out thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, you can't choose who runs into you on the roads, so you have to protect yourself by purchasing the extra protection. We recommend that all our clients purchase uninsured motorist coverage (UM) which protects you if the at-fault driver does not have any insurance or has too little insurance to cover you or your loved one's injuries. The amount of coverage you decide on is ultimately up to you. Insurance gets progressively cheaper the more you purchase, so ask your agent about purchasing more coverage. When choosing what insurance to buy, just remember:
UM protects You!
Understanding Florida's Car Insurance Requirements
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that if you are injured in an accident, your own car insurance will cover the first $10,000.00 of your medical expenses or lost wages, up to your policy's limit. It does not matter who caused the accident.
Drivers are required to carry the following insurance:
- $10,000 of no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) insurance
Personal injury protection insurance covers more than just your own medical expenses and income loss caused by a car accident. It also covers members of your household, your child when they are riding a school bus, and passengers in your car who are without PIP insurance and do not own a car.
Property damage liability insurance is responsible for any damages you cause in an accident to someone else's property. This can include their home, vehicle, or business building.
Drivers can purchase a variety of other forms of insurance, all of which are optional in Florida. Some of the most common forms of option coverage include comprehensive, collision, towing and labor, uninsured, and rental car coverage.
Car accidents are devastating enough on their own, let alone those compounded by drivers who do not have auto insurance. Our firm can help if you were involved in a similar accident, so give us a call today! We are led by dedicated Clearwater car accident lawyers who go the distance for their clients