Auto Insurance In FL
Understanding auto insurance requirements in Florida can help you make a wise auto insurance purchase for your vehicle. Florida state laws govern the minimum types and amounts of insurance necessary for any motor vehicle owner in Florida, including part-time or seasonal residents living in Florida at least 90 days each year. Your insurance company must be licensed to do business in Florida.
Minimums for Auto Insurance in FL
Florida requires minimum insurance coverage for owners of vehicles that are classified as self-propelled, with four or more wheels, licensed and registered in the state of Florida. These requirements include $10,000 of property damage liability insurance and $10,000 of personal injury protection. Higher amounts of auto insurance in FL may be required, however, of drivers who may have been in an accident but couldn’t pay, who were uninsured, or who committed certain traffic violations. Drivers who plead guilty or no contest to a DUI are required to carry significantly higher amounts of insurance or to post a bond or certificate of $350,000. This extra coverage must be maintained for three years, along with a clean driving record, in order to be able to return to the standard rate.
Property Damage Liability for Auto Insurance in FL
Property damage liability applies to any property damage you cause with an automobile, whether it is parked, rolling, or running. Property can include other vehicles, a fence, a tree, buildings, or animals. A deductible is not required. This coverage does not cover damage to your own vehicle. To cover physical damage to your own vehicle, collision and /or comprehensive insurance are optional purchases.
Personal Injury Protection for Auto Insurance in FL
In Florida, personal injury protection insurance protects you and your family in several situations. It applies if you are in your own car or in someone else’s car. It applies if you are a pedestrian or a bicyclist injured in an accident with a motor vehicle while in Florida. It covers you and your household members outside Florida but still located in the United States or Canada, if you are driving or riding in your own vehicle. It protects your children if they are injured on a school bus. When you are making decisions about personal injury protection coverage for auto insurance in FL, carefully consider the options available. Basic PIP pays for 80% of medically necessary expenses and 60% of lost wages, as well as $5,000 for death benefits. For higher premiums, you may be able to obtain coverage for 100% of medically necessary expenses and 80% of lost wages, or to increase your minimum limits above $10,000. For lower premiums, you may have a choice to increase the amount of your deductible and/or exclude disability benefits.
Optional Coverage for Auto Insurance in FL
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that Florida is one of the top ten states for vehicle theft. Comprehensive auto insurance, although not required, covers not only theft, but also vandalism, fire, flood, severe weather, and glass breakage for your vehicle. Rates for comprehensive insurance are based on many factors, but in some states, including Florida, companies are required to offer discounts if the vehicle owner uses certain anti-theft protection devices. Contact your insurance agent for details before investing in such devices for the purposes of lowering your premiums for comprehensive auto insurance in FL. If you need an auto loan, the lender may require not only comprehensive insurance, but also collision insurance coverage. Collision insurance covers costs for property damage to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of who caused the accident. Other types of insurance to consider are bodily injury liability, uninsured motorist coverage, and under-insured motorist coverage. Some of these are required in other states. For your own free comparison auto insurance quote, enter your zip code at the top of the page.