Florida drivers need to have coverage of at least $10,000 of PIP (Personal Injury Protection) as well as $10,000 of PDL (Property Damage Liability) to meet Florida’s minimum requirement for car insurance. Vehicle owners will not be able to register their vehicle or get their registration renewed if they don’t have active minimum auto insurance coverage.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal Injury Protection is coverage for the policyholder’s injuries/medical expenses in the event of a car accident. The amount the insurance company will pay depends on your policy’s limits. PIP is meant to reduce the need for suing over medical bills and mitigate the problems caused by uninsured drivers. Personal Injury Projection will cover 80 percent of any essential medical fees up to $10,000 or whatever your policy limit may be.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability insurance pays for the damage a policyholder may cause to other people’s property. Cars are an obvious example of property a driver could damage, but they may also damage buildings, fences or other types of property with their vehicle.

What Is a No-Fault State?

Florida is a no-fault state, which means each policyholder’s PIP auto insurance pays (up to their policy limits) for their own injuries regardless of who causes a car accident.

In states that do not have no-fault laws (which is most states), establishing an at-fault party determines whose car insurance pays for certain damages after a car crash.

Florida’s no-fault insurance makes it easier for drivers to quickly get compensation for medical care, but it doesn’t entirely eliminate the need for proving fault. Once your policy limits have been reached, you could still have medical costs, lost wages and other debt left over. At that point, you may want to discuss your options with a personal injury attorney. You might be able to seek damages from the responsible driver, even in a no-fault state like Florida.

What Are Other Coverage Options?

Roadside Assistance

While it is not technically auto insurance in the traditional sense, roadside assistance is a nice policy addition. Roadside assistance helps drivers by providing them with a tow or repair assistance if their car breaks down on the road. If a driver runs out of gas or gets a flat tire, roadside assistance can get the car running.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage might be worth considering for Florida drivers who want to make sure they can afford to replace their vehicle in the event of an accident. Property Damage Liability is only paid out by the at-fault driver.

If you are at fault in an accident, your own property damage liability will pay you nothing to repair or replace your vehicle. The situation is the same if you’re hit by an uninsured driver without property damage liability insurance.

Collision coverage can help ensure that no matter who is at fault, you can still afford to get your vehicle repaired or replaced after an accident.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is a great option because it protects cars against non-accident threats like natural disasters and vandalism/theft. Floridians worried about vandalism like slashed tires, a stolen car or hurricane damage might get peace of mind by investing in comprehensive coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily Injury Liability pays out compensation to people a driver injures. Some drivers in Florida may be required to pay for bodily injury liability if they have a history of car accidents.

Having bodily injury liability can also protect you if you cause an accident, but the other driver’s PIP doesn’t cover all their medical bills. Your bodily injury liability will pick up the costs after the injured driver’s PIP runs out. This prevents the injured driver from suing you or forcing you to pay out of pocket for their remaining medical bills.

What Else Should You Know About Car Insurance in Florida?

Auto Insurance Follows the Car

In Florida, it does not matter if you, your friend or somebody else gets into an accident. As long as you’re up to date on your insurance premiums, your vehicle is insured. The insurance company should cover any personal injuries or property damage regardless of who was behind the wheel during the accident.

Auto Insurance ID

Florida drivers get auto insurance IDs. It is recommended that Florida drivers carry their auto insurance identification cards when they drive in case they are in an accident. Failure to show proof of auto insurance could result in a ticket.

What If the Other Party Is Uninsured?

If you are injured in a car crash with an uninsured driver, you should receive some compensation through your personal injury protection insurance. If PIP is not enough, you may choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if you can prove negligence.

To win the lawsuit, you must demonstrate that the other driver owed you a duty of care, they breached the duty of care and that you suffered damages from the accident.

However, many people who don’t have auto insurance simply can’t afford to pay the premiums, which means they may have few or no assets for you to win through a lawsuit. In those scenarios, you may have trouble finding a car crash lawyer to take your case.

What Should You Do After an Accident in Florida?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident anywhere in Florida, from Boca Raton to Miami, you know how stressful and scary car wrecks can be. The other driver’s insurance likely did not cover all the financial damages you suffered, let alone the non-financial damages like pain and suffering.

You have legal options if you don’t think you were fairly compensated after a car crash or your PIP has reached its limit. You might benefit from consulting with an auto accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.