In Florida, the minimum auto insurance coverage required by law is known as "Florida's Financial Responsibility Law." Here are the minimum coverages:
1. Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This coverage pays for medical expenses related to injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of fault. It typically covers up to 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to the policy limit.
2. Property Damage Liability (PDL): This coverage pays for damages you cause to someone else's property in an accident. The minimum limit required by law in Florida is $10,000.
It's important to note that these are the minimum requirements, and many drivers opt for higher coverage limits or additional types of coverage for better protection. Here's what these coverages do and do not cover:
What PIP Covers:
- Medical expenses: This includes doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation related to injuries from a car accident.
- Lost wages: PIP can help compensate for lost income if you're unable to work due to accident-related injuries.
- Funeral expenses: PIP may cover a portion of funeral costs if the policyholder or a covered family member dies in a car accident.
What PIP Does Not Cover:
- Non-medical expenses: PIP typically does not cover non-medical costs like vehicle repairs, property damage liability, or legal fees.
- Injuries to others: PIP covers injuries to you and your passengers but doesn't cover injuries sustained by occupants of other vehicles.
- Intentional acts: PIP does not cover injuries resulting from intentional acts or criminal behavior.
What PDL Covers:
- Property damage to others: PDL pays for repairs or replacement of vehicles, buildings, or other property damaged in an accident where you are at fault.
What PDL Does Not Cover:
- Your own vehicle: PDL does not cover damage to your own vehicle. For that, you would need collision coverage or comprehensive coverage.
- Medical expenses: PDL does not cover medical expenses for injuries, whether for you, your passengers, or occupants of other vehicles.
- Intentional acts: PDL does not cover damages resulting from intentional acts or criminal behavior.
It's important to remember that while these are the minimum coverages required by law in Florida, they may not provide adequate protection in all situations. Drivers often consider additional coverages such as Bodily Injury Liability (BIL), Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM), Collision, and Comprehensive coverage for more comprehensive protection.