Types of Florida Car Insurance Coverage

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Required Car Insurance Coverage:

Property Damage Liability (PDL) – insurance coverage for property that you damage when you are at fault in an accident.

In Florida, this coverage pays for certain damage (up to the limit, or maximum amount of benefits
stated in the policy) that you or anyone covered under your policy cause to another person’s property through the use of an automobile, if you are legally liable. The damage may involve a parked, running or rolling automobile. The term property is not limited to another vehicle, and may include a fence, telephone pole, building or animal. This coverage may apply even if you drive someone else’s car, or if someone else is using your vehicle – check your insurance policy to find out. PDL coverage does not require a deductible, but some insurance companies offer one.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – insurance for your physical protection

Lawmakers designed PIP to help reduce the need for Floridians to sue to cover injuries resulting from car accidents. In Florida, this insurance coverage protects you, as a person, while in your own or someone else’s automobile. It also protects you as a pedestrian or bicyclist if you suffer an injury in an accident involving a motor vehicle while in Florida. PIP pays:

80% of medically necessary expenses
60% of lost wages
100% of replacement services such as child care, housekeeping or yard work
Up to $5,000 for death benefits

For a higher premium you may amend your PIP to increase medical expenses to 100% and lost wages to 80%; or Increase your minimum limits from $10,000 to $20,000 or more

Optional Car Insurance Coverage:

Bodily Injury Liability – insurance coverage for injuries of other people when you are at fault in an accident.

This coverage pays for death or serious and permanent injury to others when you are legally liable for an accident involving your car. Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy and
provide legal representation if you get sued. Your policy may also cover others who drive your car with your permission, and it may cover you or others named in the policy if operating someone else’s vehicle.

Collision – Insurance coverage to replace/repair your car if damaged in an accident

This coverage pays for repair or replacement of your car if it collides with another car, flips over or crashes into an object, regardless of who causes the accident. It does not cover injuries to people
or damage to property other than your covered automobile.

Comprehensive –Insurance coverage to pay for damage to your car from incidents other than a collision.

This coverage pays for losses from incidents other than a collision, such as fire, theft, windstorm, vandalism or flood. It also covers damages caused by falling objects or hitting an animal.

Medical Payments – Insurance to cover medical expenses

This coverage pays for medical expenses for accidental injury up to the limit of your policy. It covers your medical expenses, plus those of your family members or passengers, regardless of fault (unlike bodily injury liability insurance). It applies whether you are in your automobile or someone else's, or if you are hit by an automobile while walking or bicycling. Since PIP covers only 80% of medical expenses, medical payments insurance could cover the remaining 20%, and possibly the PIP deductible, depending on the policy provisions. Medical payments will also cover the amount in excess of the PIP limit, up to the limit specified in the policy.

Towing – insurance to cover your towing expenses

You may add towing and road service to your car insurance. But your insurance company may cancel your policy for too many towing claims, even if you have no accidents.
Rental Reimbursement – insurance to cover rental car expenses
You may receive reimbursement for car rental up to a specified limit, which is contained in your policy. It applies if you get into an accident with your own car and can no longer drive it.

Find out More information about car insurance on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page

All Information has been taken from the Florida Department of Financial Services (www.fldfs.com)