Understanding Florida Auto Insurance, Handyman Help
When searching for auto insurance it is important for a driver to know as much as possible about their future protection plan. In the Sunshine State there are several requirements that must be met when signing up for coverage, and since motorists are not allowed to drive uninsured, knowing about these requirements and understanding what they mean is a must. When researching Florida auto insurance companies a driver must first know that vehicle owners are required to have a minimum coverage of $10,000 for Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 for Property Damage Liability. If a driver is involved in an accident or has been convicted of certain offenses, then they must purchase Bodily Injury Liability as well.
These insurance requirements may seem confusing at first, but they are designed to ensure that a driver and their car are both protected while on the open road. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is designed to cover the costs of injury or loss for anyone involved in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This protection, however, does not stop at the driver; it also applies to bodily injury done to any relatives of the insured person who reside in the same household, as well as any passengers who are present in the vehicle. To further increase the amount of coverage provided, PIP also covers the insured for the cost of injury that may have come while acting as a pedestrian or while riding a bicycle, as long as the damage was done by an automobile. Property Damage Liability (PDL) handles damages caused when a policyholder or a family member who is living in the same household causes damage to another person’s property with an automobile.
Additional FL Insurance May be Needed
If a Floridian driver is involved in an automobile accident and found at fault, they are required to add Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) to their insurance policy. This form of coverage can pay for death or serious injury to others when the driver is responsible for an accident that involves an automobile. These costs will be paid for up to the limits of the policy held by the motorist. In addition to this, BIL can also provide legal representation if the driver at fault is sued, and it may also protect other drivers who borrow the policyholder’s vehicle with the owner’s permission. This extra protection also applies if the insured chooses to drive someone else’s vehicle with their permission.
In 2007 roughly 23% of Florida’s population was uninsured. In comparison to many other states, this is a relatively high percentage. Because of this, motorists are encouraged to look into adding Uninsured Motorist Protection (UM). This form of coverage protects the policyholder, their family members, and anyone in their vehicle at the time of the accident. If they are injured in a collision by an uninsured or under-insured motorist, this form of coverage will cover any medical expenses that might accrue, up to the policy limits. This also applies to hit and run type accidents, where the third party flees the scene. UM also pays for any lost wages (after the driver’s PIP coverage has been exhausted) that occur because of the accident, and again this goes for family members and passengers of the insured policyholder. Knowing about forms of protection and seeking out vehicle insurance questions and answers beyond the state requirements may help drivers throughout the Sunshine State to be more prepared in the event of an emergency, and protect themselves from potential financial pitfalls.