Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida: Why It Matters
Updated: 1 day ago
You have auto insurance, but what happens if the driver who causes an accident doesn't?
Most drivers understand the importance of having auto insurance, but not everyone realizes that another driver's insurance may not be enough to cover their injuries after an accident.
That's where Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage comes in. It's an optional coverage that can provide important financial protection when you're injured by a driver who has no bodily injury liability insurance or doesn't have enough coverage to pay for your damages.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed to help protect you and other covered individuals when an at-fault driver doesn't have sufficient bodily injury liability insurance.
Depending on your policy and the circumstances of the accident, UM coverage may help compensate you for:
Medical expenses resulting from covered injuries
Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
Future medical treatment related to the accident
Pain and suffering when applicable legal requirements are met
Other eligible bodily injury damages
UM coverage can also apply in certain hit-and-run accidents, subject to policy terms and legal requirements.
Unlike liability insurance, which protects you when you're responsible for injuring someone else, uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you when another driver is responsible for your injuries.
Why Is UM Coverage Important in Florida?
Florida's auto insurance requirements are different from those of many other states.
Most registered passenger vehicles must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. However, bodily injury liability insurance is not universally required for every Florida driver, although financial responsibility requirements apply in certain circumstances.
That means another driver could meet Florida's basic registration insurance requirements without carrying bodily injury liability coverage to pay for injuries they cause to others.
Even when a driver carries bodily injury liability insurance, their limits may not be enough to cover the expenses associated with a serious accident.
UM coverage can help address this potential gap.
Doesn't Personal Injury Protection Already Cover My Injuries?
Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides certain benefits for covered injuries regardless of who caused the accident.
However, PIP has limits and restrictions. For example, it generally pays 80% of covered medical expenses and 60% of covered lost income, subject to applicable policy limits and statutory requirements.
A serious accident can result in medical bills, time away from work, and other damages that exceed what PIP provides.
UM coverage may offer additional financial protection when the accident was caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage
These terms sound similar, but there's an important distinction.
Uninsured Motorist: The at-fault driver has no applicable bodily injury liability insurance.
Underinsured Motorist: The at-fault driver has bodily injury liability insurance, but their coverage isn't sufficient to compensate you for your eligible damages.
In Florida, UM coverage can provide protection in either situation, subject to the policy's terms and conditions.
Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required in Florida?
No. Uninsured Motorist coverage is optional in Florida.
Insurers are generally required to offer UM coverage when issuing applicable policies that include bodily injury liability coverage. Policyholders may reject UM coverage or select lower limits through the required selection or rejection process.
Although it's optional, UM coverage is worth considering because it can provide protection for injuries caused by drivers who carry little or no bodily injury liability insurance.
Should You Consider Adding UM Coverage?
When reviewing your auto insurance, it's important to think beyond the coverage required to legally drive.
Consider how a serious accident could affect your finances, particularly if the responsible driver couldn't adequately compensate you for your injuries.
The appropriate amount of coverage will depend on your individual circumstances, existing insurance, and budget.
At Arrington Insurance, we believe understanding your coverage is just as important as choosing it. We're here to explain your options and help you make informed decisions about protecting yourself and your family.
Have Questions About Your Auto Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist coverage is just one of the important options available under a Florida auto insurance policy.
If you're unsure whether your current policy includes UM coverage, or you'd like to review your limits, our team is happy to help.
Contact Arrington Insurance to review your auto insurance options.
Coverage descriptions are provided for general informational purposes. All coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and applicable Florida law.
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