Florida Car Insurance

For varying reasons, every state has different requirements when it comes to car insurance. While some states require very little car insurance others might require much more. The state of Florida approaches car insurance in a different manner than any other state. They have two laws that pertain to car insurance specifically, the Florida No-Fault law and the Financial Responsibility law.

Under Florida's no-fault insurance law, every vehicle owner must carry automobile insurance that includes at a minimum $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage as well as $10,000 No-Fault Property Damage Liability coverage. While Florida does not require vehicle owners to carry any more than the amounts listed above, it is recommended that they purchase higher amounts of liability insurance in order to protect their personal assets in the event that they cause serious injury to another person or persons.

No-Fault insurance will provide the insured with coverage of 80% of any reasonable medical expenses that are directly related to any injuries caused by an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It will also provide coverage of 60% of any earnings lost, depending on the policy limits, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It will also pay survivor's benefits to the insured's family in the event that they are killed in an automobile accident, even if the accident took place in a state other than Florida.

If there are family members that reside with the insured but do not have their own automobile insurance, No-fault insurance will cover them also. They are covered by the Personal Injury Protection insurance even if they are walking or passengers in someone else's vehicle when they are injured. It also covers the insured persons in the event that their vehicle causes damage to someone else's physical property such as buildings, utility poles, fences, or trees.

Florida also has what is called the Financial Responsibility Law that forces all driver and owners of a motor vehicle to be financially responsible for any damage or injury that they are at fault for during an automobile accident. While you are not required to provide proof of financial responsibility when you register your vehicle, you are required to do so if you are in an accident or found guilty of a traffic violation. In order to be in compliance with this law each driver or owner of a motor vehicle must maintain the following minimum coverage at all times:

$10,000 Bodily Injury Liability that will cover injury inflicted on one person.
$20,000 Bodily Injury Liability that will cover injury inflicted on to two or more persons.
$10,000 Property Damage Liability
$30,000 Combined single limits.

If you do not have the coverage listed above and you are involved in any of the following you could lose your driving privileges for up to three years:

An automobile accident that is your fault and where injuries have occurred.
Your license has been suspended because you have too many points against it.
Your license has been revoked due to a DUI conviction, habitual traffic violations, or any other serious traffic offense

Florida's No-Fault insurance plan is intended to provide coverage to motorists in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, there are no guarantees that the minimum coverage provided by this plan will be enough to cover any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of an accident. So, even though it isn't required by law, it might be a good idea to obtain a higher limit insurance policy than what is required.