Being aware of car insurance requirements in the state of Florida can help keep you out of trouble with the law if you’re planning to drive in the state. Keep in mind that if you’re caught uninsured or with coverage that does not come up to the state’s minimum requirements can result in suspension of your vehicle plate and registration for up to three years or until you provide proof of insurance. You will also have to pay a fine to have your insurance reinstated, which can set you back $150 (for first offenses) to as much as $500 (for subsequent violations).
Car Insurance Laws in Florida, (Property Damage Liability and PIP coverage)
Florida car insurance laws require drivers to have Personal Injury Protection coverage of at least $10,000 (per person) and $20,000 (per accident involving at least two injured people) as well as Property Damage Liability coverage of $10,000. PIP coverage protects the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident regardless of who is at fault, as well as the passengers, such as your child and other members of your family, up to the limit of your policy coverage.
Property Damage Liability
Property Damage Liability coverage pays for damages resulting from an accident you or a member of your family are involved in. PIP automatically pays for 80% of reasonable medical expenses stemming from injuries incurred in the accident as well as 60% of your lost wages, subject to your coverage limits.
Note that the figures given are the minimum requirements mandated by the state and insurance experts generally recommend that you take out more coverage to ensure that you have enough to cover medical and other costs related to an accident, since these can quickly add up and exceed the minimum coverage. In addition, you might also want to consider certain types of voluntary auto insurance coverage to further protect yourself, such as collision coverage that pays for the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident and uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage that pays for your medical expenses if the other driver in the accident is not insured or has coverage that is not enough to meet your expenses.
All cars that have a valid Florida registration must maintain insurance coverage (see this post: Shopping Around For Best Coverage and Rates) as long as they are registered in the state and are driving in Florida for at least 90 days a year. If you are going away, however, and have to keep your car in storage for an extended period of time, you can exempt yourself from these car insurance Florida requirements by turning in your license plate and registration at the relevant government agency and then re-registering your car when you return.
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