Florida’s Motorist Insurance Law
Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state. This means that if you are involved in an accident, your own insurance generally will pay up to the first $10,000 in medical bills or lost wages,
no matter who was at fault. This coverage, called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Florida No Fault Insurance, is required on all Florida auto insurance policies. If you were not at fault in
the accident, then the negligent driver’s bodily injury liability insurance applies to the damages that exceed your no-fault benefits.
Types of Motor Vehicle Insurance
The major types of insurance are:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP will cover you up to your policy limit, regardless of who is at fault in the accident. Florida requires drivers to have a minimum PIP coverage of
$10,000. PIP also covers you or your family members while riding in someone else’s vehicle. PIP will usually apply to accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists in a motor vehicle
accident.
- Bodily Injury Liability. Bodily Injury Liability covers serious and permanent injury or death an accident caused by a negligent driver leads to death or serious injury. Liability
insurance will pay for injuries up to your limit, and will also provide legal representation to the negligent driver.
- Property Damage Liability. Property Damage Liability is required insurance for Florida drivers. This coverage will pay for any damage to property caused by a negligent driver. Florida
requires a minimum of $10,000 in Property Damage Liability.
I was involved in an accident caused by an underinsured or uninsured driver. What happens now?
What happens if the driver who caused your injury was uninsured, or if the driver did not have enough coverage to pay for your injuries? Florida does not require bodily injury insurance
and has a low minimum liability coverage requirement. Many drivers carry merely $10,000 per person with a limit of $20,000 per accident—insufficient coverage for many accidents that involve
serious injuries, especially if they require hospitalization, surgery or rehabilitation. For this reason, it is important to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance on your policies. It
is best to be prepared for any eventuality, and purchase significant coverage for yourself and your family. However, many motorists drive without any insurance at all, and many drive
underinsured. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, Seidensticker and San Filippo can assist you in
evaluating your claim and potential coverage. We can assist you in the process, and help you obtain all of the information and evidence necessary to evaluate your claim and submit the
information necessary for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to reasonably compensate you for your damages. If you are involved in an accident and the insurance company denies your claim,
we can still work to help you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
