Florida Car Insurance Regulations & Required Coverage

Car insurance laws in Florida are a bit different than other states. They do not legally require drivers to maintain bodily injury liability coverage but it is highly recommended to do so and many insurance companies won’t sell a policy without it. Minimum coverage requirements are not very high compared with other states, but it is also recommended that drivers purchase additional coverage to maximize their protection.

Florida insurance laws follow a no fault system. A no fault system requires drivers to carry car insurance for their own protection and limits their ability to sue other drivers for damages. If you are in an accident, your insurance company will be responsible for paying for damages up to your policy limits regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Under a no fault system, drivers are more limited to when they’re able to sue the party responsible for causing the accident for damages.

Required Coverage

All personal vehicles in Florida require the following liability coverage requirements:

• Property Damage

Additionally, Florida requires the following coverage:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Personal Injury Protection		$10,000 Limit
Property Damage Liability		$10,000 Limit

Florida doesn’t require its drivers to maintain bodily injury coverage but many insurance companies will not sell a policy without minimum bodily injury limits. Under the Financial Responsibility Law, if a driver is held to be at fault in an accident that results in bodily injury or property damage must have full liability coverage. Specifically, the law requires that any person have liability coverage at the time of the following:

• A crash where you are at fault and injuries have occurred.
• A suspension for too many points against your driver license.
• A citation for DUI, which results in a revocation.
• A revocation for Habitual Traffic Offender.
• A revocation for any serious offense where this department is required to revoke your license.

Below are Florida’s minimum requirements under the Financial Responsibility Law:

Minimum Bodily Injury Requirements
Bodily injury liability for one person		$10,000
Bodily injury liability for two or more people		$20,000
Property damage liability		$10,000
Combined single limits		$30,000

Additional insurance coverage can include:

• Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Uninsured / underinsured coverage will help if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your expenses. Even though Florida requires PIP coverage, the limits are not always enough to cover bodily injuries of you or your passengers. This additional coverage can help pay for remanining expenses. Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability so this coverage can also pay for bills after your PIP is used.

Collision coverage pays for repairs to or replacement of your vehicle if it is involved in an accident. Comprehensive basically covers any damage to your car not resulting from an accident such as vandalism or flooding. Many times, these two coverages are grouped together and can be beneficial to most drivers. The most stolen vehicles in Florida are at the greatest risk, but that doesn’t mean you should go without this coverage.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

Establishing proof of insurance and financial responsibility

• Get a standard liability car insurance policy
• Place cash/securities with the FDHSMV to obtain a Financial Responsibility Certificate from the Bureau of Financial Responsibility.
• Obtain a Financial Responsibility Certificate after posting a surety bond.
• Self insurance. Providing evidence of possessing a net encumbered capital will allow you to receive a Self Insurance Certificate

Required Documentation

Your insurance company will usually notify the FDHSMV regarding your proof of insurance. However, in order to provide proof of insurance, you can provide one of the following:

• Insurance ID card provided by your insurance company
• A copy of your insurance policy
• Certificate of self insurance issued by the DHSMV
• Form E, Uniform Motor Carrier Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
• Insurance policy binder
• Surety bond or combination of surety bond and insurance policy

You must maintain proof of insurance and financial responsibility and present it:

• When asked by a police officer
• During the registration of your vehicle
• Anytime you operate an insurable vehicle
• When getting or reinstating your license

Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility Penalties

If you are unable to show proof of insurance when asked, you can face one of the following penalties:

• Suspension of driving privileges, registration and license plate for up to 3 years or until proof of insurance is shown
• License reinstatement fine of between $150 – $500

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