Is Car Insurance Required in Florida

Is Car Insurance Required in Florida?

Free Consultation

Yes, by Florida law all drivers with registered vehicles must maintain active car insurance. 

A vehicle cannot be legally registered without proof of insurance. Since Florida follows a no-fault system, drivers are required to rely on their insurance policies for coverage after an accident, regardless of fault. To meet legal requirements, drivers must carry both Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). These coverages provide financial support for injuries and property damage resulting, respectively. 

What are the minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Florida?

The two minimum coverages required by drivers in Florida are Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL), both of which help compensate for injuries and damages caused by accidents.

What is Property Damage Liability (PDL) and what does it cover?

Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance pays for damage to another person’s vehicle and/or property when the policyholder is at fault for a car accident. This often includes: Vehicle repairs, Damage to buildings or other structures, Personal damages for properties damaged inside the vehicle, and Towing costs. In Florida, $10,000 is minimum coverage requirements for drivers.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance? 

Personal Injury Protection (PIP), provides coverage for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs for both drivers and passengers involved in a car accident. PIP is often referred to as “no-fault” insurance,  because it covers your medical bills even if you were at fault for the accident. Additionally, it offers protection if you are injured as a passenger in another person’s vehicle or if you are struck by a vehicle while biking or walking.

PIP insurance differs from Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) insurance, which covers the medical expenses of others when you are responsible for an accident. In contrast, PIP focuses on paying for your own expenses, regardless of fault.

Although PIP may have some overlap with health insurance, it is specifically designed to cover injuries resulting from car accidents, which are not always included in traditional health policies. Furthermore, PIP can extend to certain healthcare costs, such as rehabilitation, that may not be fully covered by standard medical insurance.

What Does PIP Insurance Cover?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance provides coverage for a variety of medical and non-medical expenses resulting from a car accident. Moreover PIP insurance helps cover a range of expenses resulting from a car accident, including any medical bills and lost wages if the injured party is unable to work. It can also provide funds to hire help for household tasks, childcare, or transportation if the injury limits the individual’s ability to perform these activities.

What compensation does PIP pay for my medical expenses?  

80% of medical expenses, up to the policy limit, are covered. These medical expenses can include costs from: Surgery, Hospital stays and admissions, Emergency room visits, and/or Follow-up appointments with healthcare providers.  

What compensation does PIP pay for my non-medical expenses?  

  • Lost Wages: PIP will compensate 60% of income from lost wages when an injury prevents you from working.  
  • Replacement services: PIP will provide 100% coverage for any services needed due to a loss of ability caused by the accident (e.g., cleaning, cooking, childcare or shopping).
  • Death benefit: PIP offers up to $5,000 for funeral or related expenses in the event of a fatality.

Who Does PIP Insurance Compensate?  

PIP insurance not only covers the policyholder but also extends to their children. This coverage applies whether the children are riding in the insured vehicle or on a school bus. Additionally, if passengers in your vehicle do not own a car and lack their own PIP coverage, they may be eligible to receive compensation through your policy.

When Does PIP Insurance Provide Coverage?  

PIP insurance offers coverage whenever you sustain injuries in a car accident, whether you are driving your own vehicle or riding as a passenger in someone else’s. It also applies if you are injured as a pedestrian or cyclist in a collision with a motor vehicle, ensuring that you receive benefits regardless of your role in the accident.

Is PIP Insurance Required for Nonresidents?  

In most cases, nonresidents are not required to carry PIP insurance. However, if a vehicle has been in Florida for 90 days or more within a 12-month period, the owner must obtain PIP coverage, just as a Florida resident would.  

Failure to secure the required insurance can result in a license suspension. The state may revoke the individual’s driving privileges in Florida and notify their home state about the suspension.

When Does PIP Not Apply?  

In cases involving severe car accidents, it is possible to pursue a claim outside of Florida’s no-fault system to seek damages from the at-fault driver. However, certain criteria must be met for this option to become available.

For instance, you can file a claim beyond PIP coverage if you experience a catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputation, significant scarring, or disfigurement. Similarly, cases involving the loss of a major bodily function or paralysis also qualify for personal injury claims outside of no-fault laws.

When pursuing compensation beyond PIP limits, individuals often work with personal injury lawyers to seek additional damages, including those for pain and suffering.

Contact MSO Today  

If you need more information about Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and how it can benefit you, reach out to our experienced attorneys at MSO to schedule a consultation. Our dedicated car accident lawyers are prepared to advocate on your behalf, ensuring you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. We understand the emotional and financial toll accidents can take, and we are here to provide the support you need.  

At MSO, our experienced legal team is well-versed in Florida’s laws and court procedures, giving us the tools to guide you through your claim effectively. Call us today, and one of our skilled car accident attorneys will be happy to assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.

FREE CASE REVIEW

Name