Having the minimum auto insurance required in Florida does not mean every loss will be covered after a serious crash. Different coverages protect against different risks, and the gaps may only become apparent when someone is injured.
In the video above, Scott Marshall of Marshall Injury Attorneys explains the difference between Florida’s basic insurance requirements and coverage that may help when another driver cannot adequately compensate you for an injury.
What auto insurance does Florida generally require?
For most private passenger vehicles subject to Florida’s registration insurance requirements, the basic minimums are $10,000 in personal injury protection, commonly called PIP, and $10,000 in property damage liability.
These are the usual registration minimums, not a complete statement of every driver’s obligations. Additional requirements can apply under financial responsibility laws or for particular vehicles and uses.
You can review the basic requirements on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles insurance page.
Property damage liability protects against damage you cause
Scott explains that property damage liability addresses damage you cause to someone else’s property, such as their car, when you are responsible for an accident.
It does not provide coverage to repair your own vehicle. Collision coverage serves a different purpose, and a lender or leasing company may require physical damage coverage even when it is not part of the state’s basic registration minimums.
PIP helps with covered injuries regardless of fault
PIP generally pays 80% of reasonable, medically necessary covered expenses, subject to eligibility requirements, deductibles and available benefits. It does not guarantee payment of every bill.
Scott’s concern is that substantial medical expenses can quickly exceed the available coverage. Understanding what your policy pays is only the starting point when evaluating the financial effects of an injury.
Bodily injury liability is a different coverage
Bodily injury liability addresses liability for injuries to other people. It is generally not required solely to register an ordinary private passenger vehicle in Florida, although circumstances can trigger a requirement to carry it.
That distinction matters after a crash. Another driver may meet the usual registration minimums while carrying no bodily injury liability coverage to address your injury claim.
Scott emphasizes that a driver’s available coverage can significantly affect the practical options for pursuing compensation.
Why Scott emphasizes uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, often called UM coverage in Florida, may help when you are legally entitled to recover injury damages from a driver who has no bodily injury liability coverage or insufficient limits.
Payment depends on the policy, the facts and the damages established. It is not an automatic payment of the coverage limit simply because the other driver is uninsured.
Scott strongly encourages viewers to consider this protection before an accident happens. His central point is that your own coverage can matter when another driver’s insurance is inadequate.
Minimum coverage and adequate protection are different questions
A policy that satisfies registration requirements may still leave you exposed to substantial expenses. Reviewing coverage before a crash gives you an opportunity to understand those gaps and ask about available options.
Useful questions for your insurance agent include:
- What bodily injury liability limits do I currently carry?
- Does my policy include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
- What UM limits and coverage options are available?
- What coverage would repair my own vehicle?
- Which deductibles and exclusions should I understand?
Ask for an explanation of the actual policy terms rather than relying on a general description such as “full coverage.”
What if the other driver has little or no injury coverage?
Scott warns that a lack of available insurance can make recovery difficult. However, do not assume that one missing coverage answers every question about your claim.
An individual review can examine the policies involved, who may be responsible and whether other potential sources of recovery exist. The absence of bodily injury coverage alone does not establish the other driver’s financial circumstances.
Have questions about insurance after a Florida crash?
Marshall Injury Attorneys can discuss the accident and review how the available insurance may affect your injury claim.
Request a free case review or call 727-772-5900.
This article summarises Scott Marshall’s video and includes additional general information about Florida auto insurance. It is not legal or insurance advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Requirements, coverage and available recovery depend on the circumstances and policy terms. Every case is different.
