Question 1

What does Florida require on auto insurance?

Accepted Answer

Florida requires $10K Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10K Property Damage Liability (PDL). Bodily injury liability is NOT required on most personal auto policies (Florida is unique among large states in this respect), though it's strongly recommended at $100K/$300K minimum. Florida's no-fault system handles medical bills through PIP regardless of fault. Drivers with prior DUIs or other infractions may face additional bodily injury liability requirements through the SR-22 process.

Question 2

Is Florida no-fault auto insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. After an accident, your own PIP coverage pays for your medical bills (up to the $10K limit) regardless of who caused the accident. Property damage liability and bodily injury liability still apply when you damage someone else's property or cause serious injury. The no-fault system is designed to reduce litigation over minor injuries but adds complexity around 'serious injury' thresholds that allow lawsuits beyond PIP.

Question 3

What's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

Accepted Answer

UM/UIM coverage protects you when another driver hits you and either has no insurance, has insufficient liability limits, or can't be identified (hit-and-run). It pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limit. Given Florida's roughly 20% uninsured-driver rate, UM/UIM is one of the most cost-effective coverages on a Florida auto policy. Most insurance professionals recommend stacked UM/UIM matching your bodily injury limits.

Question 4

Does my auto policy cover Uber and Lyft driving?

Accepted Answer

No, personal auto policies specifically exclude rideshare and delivery app driving. Uber and Lyft provide commercial coverage during active rides, but there's a coverage gap during the 'app on, no ride yet' period. Florida drivers using rideshare or delivery apps need a rideshare endorsement on their personal policy or face the risk of denied claims and policy cancellation if the carrier discovers the rideshare activity through claim investigation.

Question 5

How is Florida auto insurance priced?

Accepted Answer

Premium drivers include territory (Miami-Dade is the most expensive in Florida, with Broward and Palm Beach close behind), driving record, prior claims, vehicle make and model, annual mileage, age and gender (for younger drivers), credit-based insurance score (where allowed), and selected limits. Florida personal auto runs higher than national averages due to no-fault fraud history, hurricane exposure, and high uninsured rates. South Florida ZIP codes regularly produce premiums 30%–60% higher than rural Florida.

Question 6

Should I drop collision on an older vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Generally, when the annual collision premium exceeds 10% of the vehicle's actual cash value, dropping collision becomes economically rational — you're paying significantly to protect a small replacement value. Comprehensive (theft, weather, glass) is usually worth keeping longer because Florida hurricane and theft exposure produce non-collision claims even on older vehicles. Always verify your loan or lease doesn't require collision before dropping it.

Question 7

What's a deductible and how should I pick it?

Accepted Answer

The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance pays on a comprehensive or collision claim. Higher deductibles produce lower premiums; lower deductibles produce higher premiums. The right level depends on your cash flow: pick a deductible you could comfortably cover from savings without disrupting other obligations. Most Florida drivers choose $500 or $1,000 deductibles. Shopping around with different deductibles helps quantify the savings.

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