Understanding Florida car insurance can feel overwhelming at first glance, but mastering the essentials of what’s covered and what’s not is key to safeguarding your peace of mind. Let’s explore the details of typical Florida car insurance policies, highlighting the coverages you can count on and the exclusions you need to watch out for.

Rest assured, you’re not in this alone—we’re here to guide you through multiple carriers to find the best quote that aligns with your needs.

Florida Car Insurance – What’s Covered:

Liability Coverage:

In Florida, you must have liability coverage by law.

This part of your car insurance helps pay for costs if you cause an accident. It covers injuries to other people and damage to their property. In 2021, there were over 400,000 car accidents in Florida, showing how likely accidents can happen.

The law requires you to have at least $10,000 for personal injury for each person, $20,000 for injuries per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. This insurance helps protect you from big financial losses.

Example 1: Bodily Injury in a Minor Accident

Imagine you’re driving through a busy intersection in Miami and accidentally rear-end the car in front of you. The driver of that car suffers a minor neck injury and requires medical attention. In this situation, your liability coverage would pay for the medical expenses of the injured driver up to your policy’s limits. This ensures that the injured party’s medical bills are covered without you having to pay out of pocket.

Example 2: Property Damage to a Parked Car

You’re driving down a narrow street in Tampa when you accidentally sideswipe a parked car, damaging its side mirror and door. Your liability coverage will take care of the repair costs for the damage you caused to the other vehicle. This means the car owner can get their vehicle fixed without having to pay for the repairs themselves, and you avoid a potentially large expense.

Example 3: Multiple Injuries in a Multi-Vehicle Crash

On a rainy evening in Orlando, you lose control of your vehicle and collide with two other cars. Several people are injured in the crash, and both vehicles have significant damage. In this case, your liability insurance would cover the medical costs for the injured parties and the repair bills for the damaged vehicles, up to the limits of your policy. This protection helps prevent you from facing overwhelming financial burdens due to the accident.

Collision Coverage:

This is an optional part of your car insurance that pays to fix your car if it’s damaged in an accident, no matter who caused it. It’s important because it helps protect the money you’ve spent on your car. Having this coverage can save you from having to pay a lot of money to repair your car after an accident.

Example 1: Minor Fender Bender

Imagine you are driving in a parking lot and accidentally bump into another car while backing out of a space. The damage to your car includes a dented bumper and a scratched fender. With collision coverage, your insurance will help cover the cost to repair these damages, saving you from paying out of pocket.

Example 2: Major Accident

You’re driving on the highway, and another car suddenly swerves into your lane, causing a severe accident. Your car sustains significant damage to the front and sides. Collision coverage will pay for the repairs to your vehicle, helping you avoid a large financial burden.

Example 3: Hit-and-Run Incident

You park your car on the street overnight, and in the morning, you find it has been hit by another vehicle, which left the scene without leaving any contact information. With collision coverage, your insurance can cover the repair costs, even though the other driver is unidentified, ensuring your car gets fixed without you having to cover the expenses alone.

Comprehensive Coverage:

This is an optional part of your car insurance that pays for damage to your car from things other than accidents. This includes problems like theft, vandalism, or damage from natural events like storms. It’s important because it helps protect your car from unexpected events that aren’t related to a crash. Having this coverage can save you from having to pay a lot to fix or replace your car if something unexpected happens.

Example 1: Theft

Imagine you park your car at a shopping mall in Florida, and when you return, you find it’s been stolen. Comprehensive coverage can help cover the cost of replacing your car, so you don’t have to bear the full financial burden.

Example 2: Vandalism

You leave your car parked overnight on the street, and in the morning, you discover someone has spray-painted graffiti on it. Comprehensive coverage can cover the cost of removing the paint and repairing any damage, saving you from unexpected expenses.

Example 3: Natural Disaster

During hurricane season in Florida, your car is parked outside when a severe storm hits. The storm causes a tree to fall on your vehicle, resulting in significant damage. Comprehensive coverage will help pay for the repairs, so you aren’t left with a hefty repair bill after the storm.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP):

In Florida, because it’s a no-fault state, you must have PIP insurance. This type of coverage helps pay for medical bills and lost wages for you and your passengers after a car accident, no matter who was at fault. It’s important because it ensures you get help with these costs quickly, without waiting to figure out who caused the accident.

Example 1: Covering Medical Expenses

You are driving in Florida and get into a car accident. You and your passenger both need medical attention. With PIP, your insurance quickly covers the hospital bills, so you don’t have to worry about immediate medical costs, regardless of who caused the crash.

Example 2: Compensation for Lost Wages

After a car accident, you find yourself unable to work for a few weeks due to injuries. PIP insurance helps by covering your lost wages during your recovery period, ensuring you still have an income even when you can’t go to work.

Example 3: Quick Access to Funds

Imagine you are involved in a minor accident, and though there’s no major damage, you sustain a minor injury. PIP allows you to access funds immediately for any necessary medical treatment, without waiting for a lengthy investigation to determine fault, ensuring you receive care promptly.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:

This is an optional part of your car insurance that helps protect you if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance or any at all. It can help pay for your medical bills and other costs from the accident, ensuring you’re not left with big expenses if the other driver can’t cover them.

Example 1: Accident with an Uninsured Driver

You’re driving in Florida and a driver without any insurance hits your car. You’re injured and your car is damaged. With Uninsured Motorist Coverage, your insurance can cover your medical expenses and car repairs, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Example 2: Hit by an Underinsured Driver

Suppose you’re in an accident where the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover all the damages to your car and your medical bills. Your Underinsured Motorist Coverage can step in to cover the remaining costs, so you aren’t left with large expenses.

Example 3: Hit-and-Run Incident

Imagine you come back to your parked car and find it has been hit, but there’s no note or trace of the other driver. Uninsured Motorist Coverage can help cover the costs of repairing the damage and any potential medical treatment if you were injured, providing peace of mind when the responsible party can’t be found.

what's covered and what's not in Florida car insurance

Florida Car Insurance – What’s Not Covered:

  1. Regular Maintenance and Wear and Tear: Routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and general wear and tear are not covered under car insurance policies.
  2. Mechanical Failures: Issues like engine breakdowns or transmission problems fall outside the scope of car insurance and are typically covered by warranties or service contracts.
  3. Certain Exclusions: Specific situations, such as intentional damage or using your personal car for commercial purposes like ridesharing, might not be covered. Always check your policy for detailed exclusions.

Get the Best Quote with Us

Shopping for car insurance can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. As your dedicated insurance agency, we can access multiple carriers to find the coverage that best suits your needs and budget. Contact us today to explore your options and secure the best Florida car insurance coverage.