What Does It Mean to Have Full Coverage in Florida?
Corbin Sutter
Insurance Laws
Many people mistakenly believe they are covered due to a crash because they have full coverage auto insurance. However, this isn't always going to be the case. People often find that their full coverage insurance doesn't go as far as they thought. Even if you have a decent insurance policy, many find it difficult to get the insurance company to pay their fair share of the damages.
So, what does it mean to have full coverage in Florida? Let's look a bit deeper into what this means for you in the event of an auto accident.
What Is Full Coverage?
We have to start by saying that Florida is a no-fault state. You can't collect damages from the other driver unless your injuries meet the injury threshold criteria. You also have to prove the other driver was at fault for the accident.
In many cases, full coverage means that you have the bare minimum coverage as required by Florida. PIP coverage covers the policyholder's injuries regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It also covers passengers in the vehicle and those they hit that aren't required to carry PIP coverage, like bicyclists and pedestrians.
Florida doesn't require that drivers carry bodily injury liability insurance. However, if you choose not to have this coverage, you must sign a promise to pay up to $20,000 to cover the costs out of your own pocket.
Florida does require that every driver carries at least $10,000 in property damage liability for damages caused to another vehicle. Sometimes insurance companies also offer other types of supplemental insurance like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement and disguise it as full coverage.
The Value of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Since your "full coverage" may not go as far as you previously thought, you need to look into the value of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. It is not required by Florida but is recommended.
With uninsured motorist coverage, payments for injuries and damages are given to an at-fault driver who didn't have insurance or who was not identified, such as in the case of a hit and run.
Underinsured motorist coverage will kick in when the at-fault driver does have insurance but does not have enough coverage to fully compensate the other party for the full extent of their losses. These coverage options are standard in Florida insurance policies and often require a signed waiver rejecting them.
It is no surprise that people are wary of insurance companies since they often tack on many unnecessary fees and add-ons. However, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is highly recommended and something you want to give serious consideration to.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Since auto accidents can sometimes prove complicated, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you if you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
The attorney can offer valuable information and explain the available coverage. They can also help identify the liable parties and help you proceed with your claim. If you have a PIP claim and are dealing with your own insurance company, they can help deal with the insurance adjuster to receive full and fair compensation, even if it means negotiations.