Are you carrying enough Florida auto insurance to cover more than the bare minimums if you have an accident in Florida?

Motorists are required by law to carry minimum levels of auto insurance coverage on their cars, but minimum amounts of coverage are just that —the minimum. They may not, in the event of a serious accident, be enough to completely cover them financially.

Performing a Florida auto insurance comparison for policies with above-minimum protection levels is highly advised for drivers in the sunshine state–after all, the minimum requirement remains one of the lowest in the nation; automobile owners in the Florida area must carry a total of only $ 20,000 in protection.

Unless a driver has traffic violations or has proven in the past to be unable to meet financial responsibility standards, only $ 10K is required in personal injury protection (PIP) and $ 10,000 in property damage liability (PDL).
PIP exists to cover a policyholder who has been in an accident, regardless of fault, for 80 percent of “reasonable medical expenses” and 60 percent of lost wages, up to the designated monetary limit, and it also pays up to a $ 5,000 death benefit.

PDL pays for damage to property accidentally caused by the policyholder.

The Florida State Department of Financial Services advises car owners to consider adding bodily injury liability protection. This type of policy goes to pay for damages related to “death or serious and permanent injury” caused by a legally liable policyholder.

The minimum amount of BIL is $ 10,000 per person and $ 20,000 per accident. But, according to the Insurance Information Institute, most authorities on the subject recommend having at least $ 100,000 per person and $ 300,000 per accident.

High risk drivers who have had their driver’s license revoked or suspended should investigate non-owner insurance coverage if they don’t own a vehicle and want to keep their driver’s licenses. Motor vehicle departments will not reinstate a driver’s license without proof of minimum liability insurance.

A non owner auto insurance policy may also include uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection.

An added benefit to Non Owner Insurance is to show proof of continuous coverage. In situations where a vehicle is sold and not replaced, most people cancel or let their existing insurance policies lapse or expire. If there is a lapse in insurance coverage for an extended period of time, it may be more expensive to get coverage when you buy your next car. Many insurance companies look for continuous coverage when rating an individual for a new auto insurance policy.