Jane Dotson
Florida has specific requirements for insurance coverage, and it is important to keep your insurance information up to date to avoid suspension of your driver's license and other consequences. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) outlines the requirements and provides resources for updating insurance information, including the recently launched MyDMV Portal, which allows Floridians to access expanded online services for updating licenses, IDs, and registrations. Additionally, insurance companies licensed in Florida report policy changes electronically to the FLHSMV. This section provides an overview of the process and considerations for maintaining compliance with Florida's insurance regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to update insurance information | Through the MyDMV Portal, by calling (850) 617-2000 and using DHSMV's automated system, or by taking physical proof of insurance to a Florida driver license office |
| Who should update their insurance information | All licensed insurance companies must provide policy initiation or cancellation electronically |
| What happens if insurance information is not updated | Failure to maintain required insurance coverage may result in the suspension of your driver license/registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500 |
| What to do if you receive a warning letter | Surrender your Florida tags and registration immediately after you cancel the insurance for that vehicle |
| Florida insurance requirements | Vehicle owners must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) |
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What You'll Learn
Cancelling a policy
If you want to cancel your insurance policy in Florida, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, if you have recently sold your vehicle, it is important to surrender your Florida tags and registration immediately after cancelling the insurance for that vehicle. This will help you avoid mistakenly receiving a warning letter from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
In Florida, insurance companies are required to follow strict rules before they can cancel your coverage. During the first 90 days of an insurance policy, an insurance company may cancel it to complete the underwriting process. If the insurer decides to cancel during this period, they must provide written notice at least 20 days in advance. After the initial 90 days, the insurer may only cancel a policy for specific reasons outlined in Florida Statute § 627.4133(2)(b)(4)(b). These reasons may include material misrepresentation or fraud, non-payment of premiums, or suspension or revocation of the policyholder's driver's license.
Additionally, if you have had an insurance policy for more than 90 days and have made timely payments, your policy can only be cancelled for very specific reasons. Insurance companies are required to provide written notice of cancellation at least 45 days in advance. This notice must be mailed, and it is important to review the reasons provided by the insurer for cancelling your policy. If you believe your policy has been unfairly rescinded, you can seek legal representation to get the policy reinstated or recover any damages.
It is worth noting that filing a property damage claim is not a valid reason for an insurance company to cancel your policy. However, you may receive a non-renewal notice while involved in a dispute with the insurance company. Non-renewal does not indicate wrongdoing on your part, as insurance companies frequently adjust their coverage offerings. Nevertheless, insurance companies are legally required to provide written notice of non-renewal within 45 days of the coverage expiring.
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Vehicle registration
New residents of Florida must obtain auto insurance from a valid Florida insurance agent and register their vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency. This can be done online, via the MyDMV Portal, or in person at a service center. The registration period can be one or two years, and it expires at midnight on the first owner's birthday.
To register a vehicle, you must provide proof of insurance, the original title, and a copy of the lease agreement if the vehicle is leased. If the vehicle was purchased less than six months ago, you must also bring the bill of sale. There is a $225 initial registration fee for first-time registration, and the vehicle owner must also obtain a valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency.
If you cancel your insurance policy, you must surrender your tag to avoid suspension of your driver's license and registration. You can surrender your Florida license plate by mail or in person.
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Policy initiation
To initiate a new insurance policy in Florida, you will need to provide certain documents and meet specific requirements. These may vary depending on the type of insurance you are seeking, such as auto insurance or property insurance. For auto insurance, Florida has specific requirements that must be met. Vehicle owners must carry two types of automobile insurance coverage: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). The minimum coverage required is $10,000 for both PIP and PDL. If your vehicle is registered as a taxi, higher coverage limits apply, including Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence.
When initiating an auto insurance policy in Florida, you must provide proof of your PIP and PDL coverage. This proof must be issued by an insurance company licensed to sell policies in Florida or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). You can take physical proof of insurance to a Florida driver's license office or use their automated system to update your information. Additionally, if your vehicle has a valid Florida registration, you must maintain continuous insurance coverage, even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable.
For property insurance in Florida, the process may vary depending on the specific company and policy. However, it is important to note that as of 2021, a new law was enacted that requires policyholders to submit a "Notice of Intent to Initiate Litigation" before filing a lawsuit against their insurance provider for nonpayment or other violations of the policy terms. This process must be followed through the MyFloridaCFO website, where you will need to create an account and submit the necessary information and attachments. Once submitted, the notice is electronically sent to the insurance company, and they are required to respond in writing within 10 business days.
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Policy cancellation
If you need to cancel your insurance policy in Florida, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, it's important to understand the reasons for which an insurance company may cancel your policy. During the first 90 days of an insurance policy, an insurance company may choose to cancel it to complete the underwriting process. If they decide to cancel within this period, they must provide written notice at least 20 days in advance. After the initial 90 days, insurers can only cancel a policy for specific reasons outlined in Florida Statute § 627.4133(2)(b)(4)(b).
Additionally, insurance companies are required to provide a cancellation notice at least 45 days before the cancellation date. This notice period allows you to take the necessary steps to ensure you meet the insurance requirements for your vehicle. If you believe your policy has been unfairly cancelled, you can seek legal representation to get it reinstated or recover any damages.
When it comes to cancelling your vehicle insurance, there are a few crucial steps you need to take to avoid penalties. Firstly, you must surrender your Florida tag and registration immediately upon cancelling your insurance at a driver license office and motor vehicle service center or Tax Collector's office. This is to avoid suspension and reinstatement fees. Failure to maintain the required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of your driver's license and a reinstatement fee of up to $500.
If you no longer own the vehicle and don't plan to transfer the Florida tag to another vehicle, you must surrender the tag and registration. Similarly, if the vehicle is inoperable or not being driven on public roadways, you are required to surrender the tag and registration immediately upon cancellation. It's important to note that if you move to another state but keep your Florida tag and registration, you must register the vehicle in your new state and maintain insurance in that state.
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Florida insurance requirements
Automobile Insurance
In Florida, it is the law that drivers carry proof of insurance whenever they drive, and it must be current. If you are pulled over or in an accident, law enforcement will ask for proof of insurance.
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that each person pays for their own accident expenses, regardless of who is at fault. Florida law requires drivers to have two types of automobile insurance coverage: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). PIP covers 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000, no matter who caused the crash. PDL coverage pays for damage to another person's property caused by the insured vehicle.
Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must be insured with both PIP and PDL insurance at the time of registration. Vehicles registered as taxis must carry additional bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for PDL coverage.
It is important to note that failure to maintain the required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of your driver's license and registration, as well as a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.
Home Insurance
While Florida law does not require homeowners to carry home insurance, it is generally recommended. Home insurance can protect against financial losses due to fire, theft, windstorm, vandalism, flood, or other covered perils. It is important to review the specific coverage provided by your insurance policy, as exclusions and limitations may apply.
Health Insurance
Florida does not mandate that residents purchase health insurance. However, it is important to consider the potential risks and costs associated with not having health insurance, such as unexpected medical expenses.
Other Insurance Requirements
In addition to the above, there may be other insurance requirements in Florida depending on your specific circumstances. For example, if you own a business, you may be required to carry certain types of insurance, such as general liability insurance or workers' compensation insurance. Additionally, if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to maintain homeowners insurance to protect their interest in the property.
To update your insurance information in Florida, you can contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Customer Service Center at (850) 617-2000. You may also be able to update your information online through the MyDMV Portal, which provides Floridians with access to expanded online services, including insurance-related matters.
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Frequently asked questions
You can update your insurance information in Florida by visiting the MyDMV Portal, which offers expanded online services. Alternatively, you can call (850) 617-3000 and use the automated system.
Florida has enacted the Financial Responsibility Law and No-Fault Law, which require motorists to buy insurance for their vehicles to legally drive them on the state's roads and highways. The minimum insurance requirements in Florida are $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL).
Driving without adequate insurance in Florida can result in the suspension of your driver's license and a reinstatement fee of up to $500. If you are pulled over and cannot show proof of insurance, your driving privileges may be suspended.
In general, you do not need to notify the DHSMV when switching insurance companies. However, it is important to ensure that you maintain continuous insurance coverage during the registration period to avoid license suspension and reinstatement fees.
