Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law | November 8, 2024 | Personal Injury
Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance protects you if you’re in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance. While it’s optional in Florida, it’s a smart choice because about 16% of drivers in the state are completely uninsured. However, this number doesn’t tell the whole story. Since Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry liability insurance (which covers injuries to others), around 20% of drivers don’t have it. So, if you’re injured in an accident caused by a Florida driver, there’s a 1 in 5 chance you’ll need UM insurance to cover your expenses.
Florida’s Mandatory Auto Insurance Requirements
Florida requires every driver with a vehicle registered in Florida to carry the following minimum insurance:
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection): Minimum of $10,000 coverage. This covers your medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
- PDL (Property Damage Liability): Minimum of $10,000 coverage. This covers damages you cause to someone else’s property (typically a car) in an accident.
You cannot sue an at-fault driver or seek compensation from their insurance policy unless your injuries qualify as “serious” under Florida law. Property damage, by contrast, is always fault-based.
Liability insurance is optional in Florida except for certain drivers (drivers convicted of DUI, for example). If you do seek liability insurance, however, Florida law requires liability insurers to offer you UM insurance at the time you purchase liability insurance. You can reject it, but your rejection must be in writing. It’s a very good idea to purchase both liability insurance and UM insurance.
The Pros of UM Coverage in Florida
Following is a list of some of the advantages of purchasing UM coverage in Florida:
- UM covers you even if the at-fault driver lacks liability insurance: This is particularly important since, as mentioned above, Florida is one of a handful of states that does not require its drivers to purchase auto liability insurance.
- UM covers you for hit-and-run accidents: UM covers you for hit-and-run accidents when you cannot locate the at-fault driver. It covers bodily injury only, but not property damage.
- UM often comes bundled with uninsured motorist (UIM) insurance: UM insurance covers you if the at-fault driver lacks auto liability insurance altogether or if they flee the scene of the accident. Uninsured motorist (UIM) insurance covers you if the at-fault driver carries liability insurance, but it’s not enough to cover your damages.
- UM offers coverage for non-economic damages: Unlike PIP insurance, which covers only economic damages unless someone dies in the accident, UM insurance offers non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, and emotional distress. This can add up to far more than the total for economic damages.
- Most UM policies don’t include a deductible: Most insurance companies offer UM insurance with a $0 deductible. Check your policy before purchasing, however, just to make sure.
In conclusion, purchasing uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in Florida provides essential protection that fills the gaps left by the state’s minimal insurance requirements. Given the high percentage of uninsured or underinsured drivers in Florida, UM insurance is a smart investment for your financial and personal well-being.
Cons of Florida Uninsured Motorist Insurance
There aren’t many cons to purchasing uninsured motorist insurance. Below is a list of the few disadvantages.
- UM insurance costs: Naturally, UM insurance isn’t free. Nevertheless, it doesn’t cost much. You can expect it to add about 5% to 10% to your total auto insurance expenses.
- UM insurance doesn’t cover property damage: If you drive an expensive car, property damage can add up to a lot, even after a minor accident. Unfortunately, UM insurance doesn’t cover property damage. You can always purchase some other form of insurance, such as collision insurance, even though that will further add to your auto insurance expenses.
- There is an “actual contact” rule for hit-and-run accidents: Suppose a car driving on the wrong side of the road causes you to swerve into a tree. The driver flees the scene, and you never find them. Your UM insurance probably will not cover you even though the accident was the other driver’s fault. That’s because Florida insurance companies apply an ‘actual contact rule’ for coverage unless you have overwhelming evidence in your favor (CCTV footage of the accident, for example).
While uninsured motorist (UM) insurance provides valuable coverage for accidents involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers, it has limitations you should be aware of.
Talk to a Lawyer If You’ve Been in a Car Accident
If you are in an accident in Florida that is the other driver’s fault, you’re likely to need a Florida car accident lawyer. This is especially likely if you are an out-of-state tourist because your lawyer might be able to handle your claim without you even having to return to Florida. Under the contingency fee system that most personal injury lawyers use, you won’t even owe a dime in attorney’s fees unless you win your case. Contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer from Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law for Help Today
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Orlando today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Orlando, Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, and Palm Bay
We proudly serve Orange County, Brevard County, and the surrounding areas:
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Orlando Office
964 Lake Baldwin Ln Ste. 200 Orlando, FL 32814, United States
(407)-801-3000
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Melbourne Office
1600 W Eau Gallie Blvd #205j, Melbourne, FL 32935
(321)-334-3929
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Cocoa Office
717 S Cocoa Blvd STE 203, Cocoa, FL 32922
(321)-517-2079
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Titusville Office
4527 S Hopkins Ave Suite B, Titusville, FL 32780
(321)-455-5182
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Palm Bay Office
4620 Lipscomb street N.E Suite #3K, Palm Bay, FL 32905
(321)-334-3819