Do I need uninsured motorist property damage in Florida?

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays for medical care, loss of income, and funeral expenses after an accident where an uninsured driver is at fault. Uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance covers the policyholder, his or her family members, and passengers. Most policies even pay for an accident sustained when the policyholder is biking, walking, or in another person’s car.… read full answer

In other words, uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) insurance is essentially the reverse of your liability policy. Instead of buying coverage for damage that you cause, UMBI protects you when a driver who does not have liability insurance hits you.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Limits and Requirements

UMBI coverage limits are usually expressed as two figures, one for the maximum dollar amount of UMBI that your insurer will pay per person and the other for the maximum amount per accident. For example, a policy with UMBI limits of $10,000/$30,000 would have coverage up to $10,000 for one person’s injuries and up to $30,000 total for all injuries caused by one car accident.

UMBI coverage is required in less than half of states, but drivers can buy it in most states even if it is not mandatory. States with mandatory UMBI usually require limits equal to the state’s bodily injury liability coverage limits, since UMBI is meant to be a substitute for the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury vs. Other Insurance

As a coverage option, UMBI somewhat overlaps with health insurance, disability insurance, MedPay, and PIP. However, UMBI often has higher limits than MedPay and PIP, and it does not require the copays or deductibles that come with health insurance.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury is also an inexpensive coverage option since it usually costs about 5% of your total annual premium.

No, uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Florida, as drivers can reject the coverage in writing. Still, insurance companies are required to offer at least $10,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $20,000 per accident).

For Florida drivers who do not opt out by rejecting the coverage in writing, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for a car accident in which the other driver doesn’t have car insurance, or doesn’t have enough coverage for the damage they caused.… read full answer

Why You Should Get Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida

Normally, an at-fault driver’s insurance helps pay for any damage after an accident. However, if the other driver doesn’t have any – or enough – coverage, it can be time-consuming and difficult to sue them for funds to cover any medical or repair bills. That’s where this optional insurance coverage can help you save time and money.

Even though Florida does not require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, you should still consider buying it. In Florida, an average of 27% of drivers on the road don’t have car insurance, which means there is a 1 in 4 chance that the other driver won’t have coverage if you get into an accident. Car accidents in Florida can be very expensive, too.

Key Facts About Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida:

• Minimum Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per accident
• Uninsured Drivers on the Road: 27%
• Crashes per Year: 403,626
• Odds of a Crash with an Uninsured Driver: 1 in 4

If you’re in a car accident and the other driver has no insurance, then any medical bills or costs to repair your vehicle will need to be paid by your insurance company. This is usually done through uninsured motorist coverage, although collision insurance also covers certain costs. In addition, you might be able to sue the uninsured driver for damages. Some states make filing a lawsuit more difficult than others, though.… read full answer

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is required in 22 states, and drivers usually have to purchase an amount that’s equal to their basic liability coverage. UM will pay for all of your expenses up to your policy limits when you’re hit by an uninsured driver, from your vehicle repairs to your medical bills. Collision coverage can also protect you in these situations, since it covers repairs to your car after an accident. However, it does not cover medical expenses.

In addition to filing a claim with your insurance company, you might be able to sue the at-fault driver. However, if you live in a no-fault state, this might be difficult. No-fault states require your insurance to pay for your medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused it. In order to sue, you must have suffered a severe injury or significant financial loss, although the specific criteria vary between states. If you don’t live in a no-fault state, suing the other driver will be easier, although it might not be worth it. If a driver doesn’t have car insurance, they likely won’t have the resources to pay damages.

Even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you should still get their contact information after the accident in case your insurance company needs it. The driver might try to offer you money on the spot to cover your expenses and avoid being caught driving uninsured, but you shouldn’t take it. You can’t immediately know how much the damage is going to cost to repair, so you should still go through your insurance company. In addition, be sure to take photos of the accident scene and file a police report in order to make the claims process go smoothly.