When asked about their car insurance, most people say, 'I have full coverage.' But in Florida, 'full coverage' is a marketing term, not a legal one. It often leaves drivers dangerously exposed. Flo...
When asked about their car insurance, most people say, 'I have full coverage.' But in Florida, 'full coverage' is a marketing term, not a legal one. It often leaves drivers dangerously exposed. Florida has some of the lowest mandatory insurance requirements in the country. If you only have the state minimums, you are driving with a financial time bomb in your glovebox.
The Myth of 'Full Coverage'
Usually, 'full coverage' just means you have the state minimums plus collision/comprehensive (which fixes your car). It does NOT mean you have enough coverage to pay for medical bills if you hurt someone, or to pay for your own bills if you are hit by an uninsured driver.
Gap 1: No Bodily Injury (BI) Liability
Shockingly, Florida does not require drivers to carry Bodily Injury (BI) liability insurance to cover injuries they cause to others (unless they have a prior DUI). If you cause a crash and don't have BI, you can be personally sued and lose your assets.
Gap 2: No Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
As discussed in other posts, UM coverage is optional. If you don't have it, and you are hit by one of Florida's millions of uninsured drivers, you have no way to pay your medical bills beyond the small PIP limit.
Gap 3: Low PIP Limits
PIP only covers $10,000. A single ER visit and MRI can wipe that out. Without health insurance or UM coverage, you are responsible for everything else.
Gap 4: Rental Reimbursement
If your car is in the shop for weeks after a crash, how will you get to work? Unless you specifically added rental reimbursement, your policy won't pay for a rental car.
How to Close the Gaps
Review your policy today. We recommend carrying at least $100,000/$300,000 in Bodily Injury liability and matching Uninsured Motorist coverage. It costs more monthly, but it saves you from bankruptcy if a serious accident happens.
Contact Emas Law Group Today
Don't wait until after a crash to find out what your insurance covers. It will be too late. Emas Law Group offers free policy reviews to help you understand your coverage and identify any dangerous gaps before disaster strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum insurance in Florida?
$10,000 PIP and $10,000 Property Damage Liability. That's it. It is woefully inadequate.
Does my health insurance cover car accidents?
Yes, usually after PIP is exhausted, but you will still have deductibles and copays, and they may put a lien on your settlement.
Is Gap Insurance the same thing?
No. 'Gap Insurance' pays the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on the loan if it's totaled. It is different from coverage gaps.