Florida Auto Insurance: What's The Minimum Coverage Required?

Florida has specific auto insurance requirements that all drivers must meet. The state mandates that all drivers carry a minimum level of auto insurance coverage, and failure to do so can result in penalties. Florida is also a no-fault state, which means that each person is responsible for their own accident expenses, regardless of who is at fault. The minimum requirements for auto insurance in Florida include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. PIP provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, while PDL covers damage to another person's property. Understanding and complying with Florida's auto insurance requirements are crucial for drivers to ensure they are properly protected and to avoid legal consequences.

Florida's no-fault insurance laws

Florida is a no-fault automobile insurance state. This means that drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance (PIP) to pay for their medical expenses and other accident-related damages, regardless of who caused the collision. The no-fault law also places restrictions on when you may seek compensation from another party.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), drivers must have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP. This is to cover 80% of reasonable medical expenses related to the accident, 60% of lost wages, and $5,000 for death benefits. PIP also covers 100% of replacement service costs, which are any services needed because of a loss of ability caused by the accident.

Drivers must also have a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) to pay for damages they cause to another person’s vehicle or property.

Florida does not mandate bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage (with the exception of taxis and drivers convicted of a DUI), but you may purchase an optional policy for additional protection.

It is important to note that PIP is not liability insurance and it benefits the insured only. This coverage follows the individual driving an owned, borrowed, or rented vehicle around the state of Florida.

Minimum insurance requirements

Florida is a no-fault state, which means that each person pays for their own accident expenses, regardless of who is at fault. In Florida, you must carry proof of insurance with you whenever you drive, and it must be current.

The minimum insurance requirements in Florida are:

• $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)
• $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL)

Personal injury protection insurance covers you regardless of whether you cause an accident, up to $10,000 minus your deductible amount. PIP is designed to reduce the necessity of suing for reimbursement of medical and related bills from auto accidents. It covers:

• 80% of reasonable medical expenses related to the accident
• 60% of lost wages as a result of the accident
• $5,000 for death benefits

Property damage liability insurance pays for damage that you or members of your family cause to another person's property while driving. The term "property" includes a fence, telephone pole, building, or another car. Coverage applies even if you drive someone else's car.

Although it is not required by law, many drivers buy other types of insurance coverage in addition to the mandatory PIP and PDL insurance.

Proof of insurance

In Florida, you must carry proof of insurance with you whenever you drive and it must be current. If you are pulled over or are in a car accident, law enforcement will ask you to show proof of insurance.

Before you can register a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, you must show proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) automobile insurance. Proof of PIP/PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration. The minimum coverage is $10,000 in PIP and $10,000 in PDL. Vehicles registered as taxis must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for PDL coverage.

You must maintain Florida insurance coverage continuously throughout the registration period, even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. If you cancel your insurance, you must surrender the license plate/tag first.

If you fail to maintain the required insurance coverage in Florida, your driver's license/registration may be suspended, and you may be required to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.

Insurance for non-residents

Non-residents of Florida who accept employment or engage in a trade, profession, or occupation in the state, or enroll their children in a Florida public school, must obtain a registration certificate and license plate within 10 days. They must also have a Florida certificate of title for their vehicle, unless an out-of-state lien holder/lessor holds the title and will not release it to Florida.

Non-residents must also ensure that their vehicles have a Florida registration and license plate and are insured with a Florida policy. They must maintain the required insurance coverage throughout the registration period, or their driving privileges and license plates may be suspended for up to three years.

Before registering a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, non-residents must show proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) automobile insurance. The minimum coverage is $10,000 in PIP and $10,000 in PDL. Non-residents must purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida.

Non-residents should not cancel their Florida insurance until they have registered their vehicle(s) in their new state or have surrendered all valid plates/registrations to a Florida driver's license office, motor vehicle service center, or Tax Collector's office. If they are keeping the same insurance carrier, they can change their coverage to their current state of residence when they make the registration change.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Florida is illegal and can lead to various penalties, including fines and the suspension of your driver's license, registration, and license plates. Here are the penalties you may face if you are caught driving without insurance in the state of Florida:

First Offense

After your first offense, the state of Florida can suspend your license until you provide proof of auto insurance and pay a reinstatement fee. The fee for reinstating your license, license plates, and registration is typically $150. However, if you can prove that your new insurance policy began before the suspension date, you may not have to pay any reinstatement fees or penalties.

Second and Subsequent Offenses

The fees for reinstating your license and vehicle registration increase for second and subsequent offenses within three years of the first offense. For a second offense, the reinstatement fee rises to $250, while for a third or subsequent offense, the fee increases to $500.

Accidents Without Insurance

If you are in an accident while driving without insurance in Florida, the consequences can be significant. If you are at fault and the other driver is injured or their vehicle is damaged, you can be held personally liable for the entire cost of the damages. In addition, you may lose your driving privileges until you have paid off the total cost of the damages.

Uninsured drivers who are at fault for an accident may also need to obtain an SR-22 certificate, which their insurer must file on their behalf, possibly resulting in higher rates. Under Florida's financial responsibility law, you will also need to purchase bodily injury liability coverage, which can be costly.

Fines for Driving Without Insurance

In Florida, you can be fined between $150 and $500 for driving without insurance. The fine increases for subsequent offenses within three years of the first, with a maximum fine of $500.

Suspension of Driving Privileges

If you fail to meet Florida's car insurance requirements, your driver's license, registration, and license plates may be suspended for up to three years or until you obtain insurance, whichever comes first. This suspension can be avoided by surrendering your license plates before cancelling your insurance.

Frequently asked questions