What is the Florida defensive driving course for seniors?

Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. Florida being a no-fault state for car insurance means all Florida drivers are required to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own medical bills after an accident regardless of who was at fault. Additionally, no-fault laws in Florida place limitations on a driver’s right to sue after an accident. Drivers in Florida can only sue if the injuries are permanent or the accident resulted in more than $10,000 in damages.... read full answer

Florida uses a pure comparative negligence system, meaning drivers can collect damages proportionate to their fault in causing the crash. For example, if they're 99% at fault, they can get 1% from the other driver.

Key Things to Know About No-Fault Insurance in Florida

• Faster payouts. Police and your insurance company don't need to fully investigate the accident’s cause before you can get paid for your medical bills. As a result, your bills get paid more quickly than they would in a tort state, where fault for the accident determines the payout.
• Coverage for medical expenses. Another benefit of having to carry PIP insurance is the knowledge that you're covered no matter who causes an accident. That can make driving in Florida a bit less nerve-wracking.
• Higher premiums. Car insurance in Florida costs $2,313 per year, on average, while the national average cost of car insurance is $1,407 per year. States with no-fault laws typically have higher average car insurance costs due to the required PIP insurance.
• Property damage is not covered. No-fault rules don’t apply to property damage. One or more drivers will be at fault after a collision, no matter which state you live in. The police and insurance companies consider Florida law, the circumstances of the collision, and drivers’ testimonies before deciding who is at fault.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to no-fault insurance.

An FR-44 form is a document of financial responsibility that is required in Florida and Virginia to verify that drivers convicted of a DUI have sufficient car insurance coverage. FR-44s require drivers to have additional coverage beyond the minimum amount required by state law, unlike SR-22 forms.

When an FR-44 Is Required... read full answer

Drivers are often required to file an FR-44 in order to reinstate a suspended license after a DUI. To get an FR-44, you need to contact your car insurance company and ask them to file one with the state on your behalf. If you don’t already have enough coverage to meet the state’s FR-44 requirements, then you will need to purchase additional insurance.

Cost of an FR-44

You should expect your insurance company to charge an FR-44 filing fee between $15 and $25. Since an FR-44 classifies you as high-risk and means that you have to purchase additional coverage, it will raise your rate by an average of 66%. But the good news is that an FR-44 only lasts for three years. Once you no longer need an FR-44, your premium will start to decrease if you practice good driving habits and maintain continuous coverage.

Completing a Geico defensive driving course qualifies drivers for a discount of up to 5% or 10% on their Geico car insurance premium. Geico-approved online defensive driving courses cost $14.95 to $24.95, depending on the provider and your state of residence.

Why a Geico Defensive Driving Course Is a Good Idea... read full answer

In general, Geico defensive driving courses improve students’ driving skills by teaching them how to react effectively in hazardous situations. Main topics include how to drive in bad weather and on wet or icy roads, how to correct course if you lose control, how to veer off the roadway safely, and how to react if something crosses into your lane suddenly. Courses also cover the dangers of road rage, speeding, aggressive driving and driving under the influence.

Geico’s defensive-driving course discount is available in most (but not all) states, and rules and qualifications vary. Geico has a convenient directory to help you learn more about the defensive driving requirements in your state.

Geico Defensive Driving Discounts in Major States

• California – up to 5%
• Texas – up to 10%
• Florida – up to 10%
• New York – up to 10%
• Illinois – up to 10%
• Pennsylvania – up to 10%
• Georgia – up to 10%
• New Jersey – up to 5%

If you already have a course in mind, check with Geico to see if that course will qualify you for the discount. You can also find an approved Geico defensive driving course, and learn how to sign up, through the National Safety Council or the American Safety Council. Many states offer the option of taking the course online rather than in a classroom.