Auto Insurance Minimums: Tampa, Florida's Requirements

Florida is one of 12 no-fault states in the US, meaning that each driver's insurance covers injuries or medical expenses for themselves and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault. Florida requires a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) coverage. This means that in the event of an accident, each person will file a first-party personal injury claim, which is where PIP comes into play. PDL coverage, on the other hand, pays for damage to another person's property.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

In Florida, PIP is crucial as it is a no-fault state, meaning that each party in a car accident is responsible for their own medical costs, childcare, and lost wages. This is in contrast to a liability state, where the at-fault driver's insurance would cover the other driver's expenses. While Florida's minimum coverage limits for PIP are fairly low, drivers can purchase policies with higher limits for added protection. This is recommended as, in the event of a serious accident, medical expenses can quickly exceed the minimum coverage amount.

Additionally, while PIP covers the policyholder's expenses, it does not cover damage to their vehicle. For this reason, many drivers in Florida opt for full-coverage insurance policies, which include collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to the policyholder's car in an accident, while comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision-related damage, such as theft or natural disasters.

It is important to note that PIP insurance does not cover bodily injury liability. This means that if the policyholder is at fault in an accident and the other party is injured, their medical expenses will not be covered by the policyholder's PIP insurance. As such, it is recommended to add bodily injury liability coverage to your policy, even though it is not required by Florida law.

Overall, while PIP insurance is a vital component of car insurance in Florida, it is important to understand its limitations and consider additional coverage to ensure adequate protection.

Property damage liability (PDL)

PDL insurance pays for damage to another person's property caused by you or someone else driving your insured vehicle. This includes damage to another person's vehicle, but also any other property, such as buildings, fences, or mailboxes.

The minimum amount of PDL coverage required in Florida is $10,000 per accident. This is the same minimum amount required for PIP insurance.

PDL insurance is mandatory in Florida, and you must have it before you can register a vehicle in the state. If you are caught driving without insurance in Florida, you could face penalties such as fines, vehicle impoundment, suspension of your vehicle registration, and suspension of your driver's license.

While PDL insurance is mandatory, it may not be enough to cover all your expenses in the event of an accident. The minimum coverage required in Florida may not cover the full value of your car, so it is recommended that you purchase at least $500,000 worth of PDL coverage. You may also want to consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy, equal to your car's actual market value.

Where Can I Get PDL Insurance in Florida?

Several insurance companies offer PDL insurance in Florida, including Geico, State Farm, and Travelers, which typically offer the cheapest minimum-liability auto insurance policies in the state.

Bodily injury liability (BIL)

BIL insurance covers injury or death to others. It pays for medical expenses and other costs such as lost wages. It also covers injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers, depending on your policy.

In Florida, the minimum coverage for BIL is $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. However, if you have been caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), you will need much higher coverage limits. In this case, the BIL requirements are $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

Collision coverage

• Crashing into another vehicle
• Colliding with an object such as a tree, curb, or guardrail
• Your car rolling over
• Damage from potholes

It is important to note that collision coverage is not required by law in Florida or any other state. However, if you finance or lease your car, your lender or leasing company will likely require you to have collision coverage until the contract ends. Even if your car is paid off, collision coverage can provide peace of mind if you drive an expensive car or cannot afford to pay for repairs after a crash.

In Tampa, Florida, the cost of collision coverage varies depending on the company and your specific circumstances. On average, collision coverage costs around $355.69 per year in Florida, according to data from 2019. This amount can be higher or lower depending on various factors, such as the age and value of your car, your driving record, and the amount of your deductible.

When deciding whether to purchase collision coverage, consider the value of your car. If the cost of collision coverage and your deductible is higher than the current market value of your car, it may not be worth purchasing. Additionally, if your car's value is equal to or less than your deductible, the coverage will not pay out if you file a claim.

It is also important to understand what collision coverage does not cover. It does not include damage to another person's car, damage to your car related to weather or natural disasters, repairs to objects you crash into, or personal belongings inside your car. To protect yourself from these types of incidents, you may want to consider comprehensive coverage in addition to collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverage

In the state of Florida, comprehensive coverage is optional. It is an add-on to an existing policy and not a separate type of insurance. Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage caused by incidents other than collisions. This includes damage caused by:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Glass and windshield damage
• Fire
• Accidents with animals
• Weather
• Acts of nature

In Florida, comprehensive coverage is not required by law, but it is usually mandated by lenders if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. If you own your vehicle outright, you can decide whether to add comprehensive coverage.

Frequently asked questions