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. Bodily injury liability is strongly recommended at $100K/$300K minimum to protect against lawsuits when you cause serious injury to others. 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?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 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 handles minor injuries through your policy; serious injuries that cross the 'verbal threshold' (significant and permanent injury) allow lawsuits beyond PIP. The system was reformed in 2023 with tighter bad-faith standards and shortened statutes.

Question 3

What's UM/UIM and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you when another driver hits you and either has no insurance, has insufficient insurance, 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

How is Florida auto pricing different from other states?

Accepted Answer

Florida auto premiums run higher than national averages due to no-fault fraud history, hurricane exposure, high uninsured-driver rate, and litigation environment. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach face significantly higher rates than rural Florida. The 2023 reforms have stabilized some pricing trends but haven't dramatically reduced premiums. Drivers can manage costs through deductible selection, mileage discounts, telematics participation, and shopping multiple carriers every 1–2 years.

Question 5

Do I need rideshare coverage if I drive for Uber occasionally?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Personal auto policies specifically exclude commercial rideshare and delivery app driving. Even occasional Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Instacart driving creates a coverage gap during 'Period 1' (app on, no ride yet), and personal carriers may cancel policies when they discover undisclosed rideshare activity. Adding a rideshare endorsement to your personal policy ($100–$500/year typically) closes the gap and protects your overall coverage.

Question 6

When should I drop collision coverage?

Accepted Answer

Generally when 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

How can I lower my Florida auto premium?

Accepted Answer

Several strategies: shop multiple carriers every 1–2 years (Florida market changes quickly), bundle with home insurance (typically 5%–15% credit), raise deductibles if cash flow allows, take a defensive driving course (some carriers offer discounts), enroll in telematics programs (10%–25% potential credit for safe driving), and review coverage levels annually. Consider pay-per-mile programs if you drive less than 10,000 miles annually. Keeping a clean driving record over 3–5 years produces significant rate improvements.

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