Florida Car Insurance Limits

Maintaining auto insurance is a requirement for Florida residents.

Automobile insurance is a mandatory for Florida residents who desire to register their vehicles and maintain a Florida license plate. Insurance coverage must be issued by a provider who is licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Coverages must meet at least the minimum limits required by law. Failure to maintain car insurance while driving on Florida roads and highways may result in a suspended driver's license as well as suspended vehicle registration and license plates for up to three years.

Bodily Injury and Property Damage

The state of Florida strongly recommends that drivers maintain at least minimum bodily injury and property damage liability limits. Bodily injury coverage pays for medical expenses or death to others as a result of an automobile accident you cause. Minimum bodily injury limits are $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. Property damage liability covers damages to the other driver's vehicle in the event you are at fault for an accident. The minimum property damage liability limits are $10,000. Property damage liability is a mandatory coverage in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical expenses that occur as a result of being involved in an accident with a driver with no insurance. In some cases, an at-fault driver may have insurance but it is not enough to cover all medical expenses. In this case, you may be compensated under your own insurance policy's "under-insured" motorist coverage. These coverages will pay for you, your family members or non-family member passengers. You may also collect under the uninsured motorist portion of your policy if you are struck by a hit-and-run driver. The minimum Florida limits are $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection is one of Florida's mandatory coverages. Personal injury protection is considered a "no fault" coverage because it protects you if you are injured as a result of an auto accident. The coverage protects you regardless of fault and regardless of whether you are in your vehicle or someone else's. You are even protected under this coverage if you are a pedestrian or on a bicycle. The minimum required limit for personal injury protection is $10,000, although optional personal injury protection is recommended. Some motorists are required to carry more if they have had certain types of traffic violations in the past.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged as a result of an accident. Collision coverage also protects your vehicle in the event you hit an object or your car flips over. In order to get your vehicle repaired, drivers are often required to pay a deductible. A deductible is a portion of the loss you pay out of your own pocket. Choosing a higher deductible can have its benefits. In turn for opting for a higher deductible, most insurance companies will offer you a lower premium for your insurance policy.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive is an optional coverage that pays for incidents other than a collision. Comprehensive covers losses that are caused by events such as fire, theft, weather or falling or flying objects. Hitting an animal and glass breakage is also covered by comprehensive. Collecting under your comprehensive coverage of your policy often requires that you pay a deductible.

References

• Florida Highway Safety: Vehicle Insurance Q & A
• Florida Department of Financial Services: Automobile Insurance Consumers Guide