What Florida requires you to carry

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own insurance pays for your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. The state requires you to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) at a minimum of $10,000 per person and Property Damage Liability of at least $10,000 per accident. You do not have to carry collision or comprehensive coverage, but your lender will require it if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.

Florida does not require Bodily Injury Liability coverage, which is unusual — most states do. This means you can be sued directly for injuries you cause to other people, and your own insurance will not defend you unless you bought that coverage separately. Many drivers add it anyway because the cost is low and the protection is significant.

You must show proof of insurance when you register your vehicle and carry it with you while driving. If you are stopped by police and cannot produce proof, you face a fine and possible license suspension, even if you actually have a policy in force.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, but not Bodily Injury Liability — meaning you can be sued personally for injuries you cause.
  • Your own PIP insurance pays your medical bills and lost wages after any accident, regardless of fault, which is how no-fault insurance works.
  • If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will require collision and comprehensive coverage even though Florida does not mandate them.
  • You must carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times and show it to police if stopped.
  • Rates in Florida vary widely by location, driving history, and age; shopping between insurers can save hundreds of dollars per year.

How no-fault insurance changes what happens after an accident

In a no-fault state, you file a claim with your own insurance company after an accident, not with the other driver's insurer. Your PIP coverage pays your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and up to 60 percent of lost wages, up to your policy limit. This happens whether you were at fault or not, and whether the other driver had insurance.

The trade-off is that you generally cannot sue the other driver for pain and suffering unless your injuries meet Florida's threshold — either you have more than $10,000 in medical expenses, or you have a permanent injury, scarring, or disfigurement. If your injuries are minor, your PIP straightforward covers the bills and that is the end of it. This system is meant to speed up claims and reduce litigation, but it also limits what you can recover if you are seriously hurt.

If the other driver caused the accident and you want to pursue a claim beyond your PIP limits, you will need to file a lawsuit and prove the other driver was negligent. Your own insurance company may help, but you may also need a personal injury attorney. The other driver's Property Damage Liability insurance will cover damage to your vehicle if they were at fault.

Minimum coverage versus what most drivers actually carry

The $10,000 minimum for PIP and Property Damage Liability is very low. A single emergency room visit can exceed $10,000, and property damage from a serious accident often does. Most insurers recommend at least $25,000 to $50,000 in PIP and $25,000 to $100,000 in Property Damage Liability, depending on your assets and driving patterns.

If you own your home or have savings, you should also consider Uninsured Motorist coverage, which protects you if the other driver has no insurance or flees the scene. Florida does not require it, but roughly one in five Florida drivers are uninsured, making it a practical choice. Uninsured Motorist coverage is relatively inexpensive and covers medical bills and vehicle damage that your PIP and collision insurance do not.

Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your own vehicle. Collision covers damage from accidents; comprehensive covers theft, weather, vandalism, and animal strikes. If your car is worth less than $5,000, the cost of these coverages may exceed the payout you would receive, so some drivers skip them on older vehicles. If your car is newer or you owe money on it, your lender will require both.

How location and driving history affect your rate

Florida insurance rates vary dramatically by county and even by ZIP code. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough counties have some of the highest rates in the state because of high accident frequency, theft, and fraud. Rural areas and smaller cities typically have lower rates. If you move or change where you park your car overnight, your rate may change significantly.

Your driving history, age, and vehicle type also shape your premium. Drivers under 25 and over 65 pay more. At-fault accidents and traffic violations stay on your record for three to five years and increase your rate. Some insurers offer discounts for defensive driving courses, bundling home and auto policies, paying in full rather than monthly, or maintaining continuous coverage without lapses.

Shopping between insurers is the single most effective way to lower your rate. The same driver in the same location can pay $800 per year with one company and $1,400 with another. Get quotes from at least three insurers before renewing, and ask each one about discounts you may not have mentioned.

What to do if you are in an accident

After an accident, call the police if anyone is injured or if there is significant property damage. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and insurance information. Take photos of the damage, the accident scene, and the other vehicle's license plate. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident — stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver and police.

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you think the other driver was at fault. In Florida, your own PIP coverage will begin paying your medical bills regardless of fault, so there is no advantage to waiting. Provide your insurer with the police report number, the other driver's information, and photos. Keep records of all medical treatment, lost wages, and repair estimates.

If the other driver was clearly at fault and your injuries or vehicle damage exceed your PIP limits, you may file a claim against their Property Damage Liability or Bodily Injury Liability insurance (if they have it). Your insurance company can help guide this process, or you can contact the other driver's insurer directly. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your Uninsured Motorist coverage will step in if you have it.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Florida

Florida does not require Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, but the state has a high rate of uninsured drivers. UM coverage pays for your medical bills and lost wages if the other driver has no insurance or leaves the scene. UIM coverage pays the difference if the other driver's insurance limits are too low to cover your injuries.

When you buy a policy in Florida, your insurer must offer UM and UIM coverage. You can refuse it in writing, but most agents recommend accepting it — the cost is usually $50 to $150 per year depending on your limits. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and you declined UM coverage, your only option is to sue the other driver directly, which is difficult if they have no assets or insurance.

UM and UIM coverage also applies if you are hit while walking or biking, or if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver. The coverage limit you choose for UM and UIM should match or exceed your Bodily Injury Liability limit if possible, so you have consistent protection across all scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy Bodily Injury Liability insurance in Florida?

No, Florida does not require it. But if you cause an accident and injure someone, they can sue you personally for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Bodily Injury Liability insurance defends you and pays the judgment up to your limit. Most drivers add it because the cost is low and the risk of a lawsuit is real.

What happens if I let my insurance lapse?

Driving without insurance in Florida is illegal. If you are stopped by police, you face a fine, license suspension, and possible vehicle impound. If you cause an accident while uninsured, you are personally liable for all damages and injuries. If your policy lapses, contact your insurer when ready to reinstate it, or buy a new policy right away.

Can I use my homeowner's insurance to cover my car?

No. Auto insurance and homeowner's insurance are separate. You must buy an auto policy to cover your vehicle. Some insurers offer discounts if you bundle auto and home policies with them, so ask about that when you shop.

What is the difference between actual cash value and agreed value for vehicle coverage?

Actual cash value means your insurer pays what your car is worth at the time of the loss, minus depreciation. Agreed value means you and your insurer agree on the car's value upfront, usually for classic or collectible vehicles. Most standard policies use actual cash value. If you have a newer car, the difference may not matter much, but for older vehicles it can affect your payout.

How long does it take to get paid after I file a claim?

Florida law requires insurers to acknowledge your claim within 14 days and to pay or deny it within 30 days of receiving all necessary documents. In practice, straightforward claims often settle faster, while claims involving injuries or disputes may take longer. Ask your adjuster for a timeline specific to your claim.