Bodily Injury Insurance: Florida's Law

Florida is one of the few states that does not require bodily injury liability insurance. However, it is highly recommended that Florida drivers carry this type of insurance to protect themselves in the event of a car accident that results in injuries or death. While Florida is a no-fault state, an injured party could still sue you for damages if they go beyond what your minimum insurance requirements cover.

Florida's No-Fault Personal Injury Protection law

Florida is one of the few states that follow a "no-fault" car insurance system. This means that, after a car accident, your insurance coverage (known as "personal injury protection" or "PIP" coverage) pays for the medical bills and other financial losses of anyone covered under the policy, regardless of who caused the accident. This system was enacted to make it easier to manage claims for less serious injuries.

To be entitled to PIP benefits, you must receive initial services and care within 14 days of the motor vehicle accident. PIP covers the policyholder, their children (even if they are riding on a school bus), members of the policyholder's household, most passengers who lack their own PIP insurance (as long as they don't own a vehicle), pedestrians, and bicyclists. It also covers the policyholder when they are a passenger in someone else's vehicle.

While Florida's No-Fault system makes it more difficult to hold negligent drivers accountable, it was designed to reduce the number of lawsuits in relation to car accidents. Instead of suing each other, both parties in an accident now have their own Personal Injury Protection to pay their personal bills, regardless of fault. This means that drivers cannot file a lawsuit unless they suffer permanent injuries.

When is BIL required in Florida?

In Florida, Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) insurance is generally not required. However, there are certain circumstances in which BIL is mandatory.

Firstly, if you have been convicted of a DUI, you must have BIL insurance for a period of three years after your license has been reinstated. If convicted after October 1, 2007, you must have $100,000 of coverage per person and $300,000 per accident, as well as a minimum of $50,000 in property damage coverage.

Secondly, BIL is required if you have been in a car accident or committed certain traffic violations. This requirement is outlined in the Florida Financial Responsibility Law, which states that owners or operators of vehicles involved in accidents with at least $500 of property damage or bodily injuries must be "financially responsible" or face license and registration suspension. The easiest way to meet this requirement is to have an insurance policy with at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident in BIL coverage at the time of the accident. Alternatively, you can post a $30,000 bond or "self-insure" by demonstrating at least $40,000 of unencumbered assets.

Additionally, vehicles registered as taxis in Florida are required to carry BIL coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for property damage liability coverage.

While not mandatory in all cases, it is recommended that Florida drivers carry at least $10,000 of BIL insurance to protect themselves financially in the event of an accident.

Why you should have BIL insurance

While Florida does not require bodily injury liability insurance, there are several reasons why you should have it.

Firstly, bodily injury liability insurance (BIL) protects you in the event of a car accident. If you are at fault in a car accident and someone else is injured, they can sue you for damages. BIL coverage will pay for their injuries and protect your assets. It will also cover your legal costs if you are sued. This is particularly important in Florida, which has a high percentage of uninsured motorists. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your BIL coverage can provide financial protection.

Secondly, BIL coverage is necessary if you want to purchase Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage protects you if you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Since Florida does not require bodily injury coverage, many Florida drivers do not have adequate insurance. By purchasing BIL coverage, you can also buy UM coverage to protect yourself from uninsured drivers.

Thirdly, BIL insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a serious accident. One visit to the hospital can easily exceed the minimum insurance requirements, leaving you with significant financial burden if you are at fault. BIL insurance helps ensure that you are covered in the event of a costly accident.

Finally, BIL insurance is required under certain circumstances in Florida. If you have been in a car accident or committed certain traffic violations, you must meet the financial responsibility requirements outlined in the Florida Financial Responsibility Law. The easiest way to do this is by having BIL insurance with a minimum coverage of $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. Without this insurance, your license and registration may be suspended.

In conclusion, while BIL insurance is not mandatory in Florida, it provides essential financial protection in the event of a car accident. It can help cover the costs of injuries to others, legal fees, and lost wages. Additionally, it allows you to purchase UM coverage to protect yourself from uninsured drivers. By having BIL insurance, you can drive with the confidence that you are financially protected in the event of an accident.

Florida Financial Responsibility Law

Florida's Financial Responsibility Law states that an owner or operator of a vehicle involved in an accident with at least $500 of property damage or bodily injuries must be “financially responsible” or have their license and registration suspended. The law outlines three methods of meeting the financial responsibility requirement. The easiest method is to have an insurance policy with at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage at the time of the accident. The other two options are to post a $30,000 bond or to "self-insure", which requires demonstrating at least $40,000 of unencumbered assets.

The Financial Responsibility Law also applies to people who have been found guilty or pled no contest to a DUI charge. These individuals must have bodily injury liability insurance of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for at least three years after their driving privileges are reinstated.

If a driver causes an accident and cannot meet the Financial Responsibility Law requirements, their license will be suspended for three years. The only way to get a license back sooner is to be released from all liability by the injured person or to post security to cover their entire claim.

In addition to the Financial Responsibility Law, Florida also has a No-Fault Personal Injury Protection law, which requires drivers to have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) insurance. PIP covers 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 resulting from a covered injury, regardless of who caused the crash. PDL coverage pays for damage to another person's property caused by the insured vehicle.

How much BIL insurance should you get in Florida?

In Florida, bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance is not required unless you've been in a car accident or committed certain traffic violations. However, it is highly recommended that you have at least $10,000 of BIL coverage. This is because, in the event that you cause a car accident and are unable to meet the financial requirements set out by the Florida Financial Responsibility Law, your license will be suspended for three years. The only way to get your license back before this period ends is to be released from all liability or to post security to cover the injured person's entire claim.

The Florida Financial Responsibility Law gives three methods of meeting the financial responsibility requirement. The first and easiest method is to have an insurance policy with at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident in BIL coverage at the time of the accident. The second option is to post a $30,000 bond, and the third is to "self-insure", which requires demonstrating at least $40,000 of unencumbered assets.

It is important to note that there are exceptions to the lack of a BIL requirement in Florida. If you have been convicted of a DUI, you will be required to have BIL coverage for a period of three years after your license has been reinstated. In this case, you must have $100,000 of coverage per person and $300,000 per accident, in addition to a minimum of $50,000 in property damage coverage.

Additionally, taxi drivers in Florida are required to carry higher amounts of BIL coverage. For vehicles registered as taxis, the BIL coverage required is $125,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence.

While the minimum amount of BIL coverage required by law in Florida is $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident, this may not be sufficient to cover all medical costs associated with a serious injury. As such, it is recommended that you purchase as much BIL coverage as you can afford to protect yourself financially in the event of a car accident.

Frequently asked questions