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In the state of Florida, all drivers are required to have some form of insurance. This insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times and presented in the event of a traffic stop or car accident. To make sure you’re legal on the road, we’ve included all you need to know about car insurance in Florida, including what you can do if you find yourself facing charges due to lack of insurance.
What car insurance am I required to have in Florida?
All Florida drivers are required to have some sort of insurance to be on the road. While there are many different types of insurance, there are some minimum requirements that all drivers must meet. Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must have:
– Personal injury protection (PIP) in the amount of $10,000
– Property damage liability (PDL) in the amount of $10,000
Because there are other types of drivers on the road, they too must abide by certain requirements. These include cars that are for hire and other types of cars on the road that are not just for personal use. For instance, vehicles registered as taxis need:
– Bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person
– $250,000 coverage per occurrence
– $50,000 for (PDL) coverage
No matter what the type of car and the type of license, drivers in Florida are required to have a certain level of coverage and cancel their insurance correctly too. Finding out what you’re supposed to do to abide by these rules can be hard to come by, which is why we’ve lined them up here. Some of these require drivers to:
– Have continuous coverage (coverage on and off the road, both while driving and not driving)
– Make sure that the current license plate and/or tag is canceled before canceling their insurance
– Purchase from a licensed insurance company in Florida
– Maintain Florida insurance coverage even if out of the country
Those that are moving out of state and need to switch their coverage, they should not cancel their current Florida insurance until they have new coverage in their new state. Not all drivers on Florida roads are residents. In most cases, non-residents are not required to hold insurance but there are some in which they do.
What if I am a non-resident?
In some cases, drivers may not be residents of the state of Florida, though do most of their driving in the state. In some cases, registration is not needed. In others, drivers are required to have their vehicle registered in the state. Those circumstances where non-residents must seek registration include:
– When drivers are employed in Florida
– When children of drivers are registered in Florida schools
For those that meet the requirements, the state requires registration after 10 days. Not only do they need registration but also a Florida certificate of title. The only exception to this is if the lienholder will not release to Florida, in which case drivers are not required to possess one.
Even though they may not reside in Florida, some drivers need to have their vehicles registered. If drivers fail to do so, they could face fines and/or other consequences, some of which could result in costly fees and the possibility of losing their license to drive.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Florida
When states require that drivers have insurance, some consequences come along with failure to do so. Florida, like most states, penalizes drivers without insurance with a fine. The amounts of fines depending on the number of offenses. Fines per number of offenses include:
– First offense $150 reinstatement fee
– Second offense $250 reinstatement fee if lapse occurs within 3 years of the first offense
– Subsequent offenses $500 reinstatement fee if lapse occurs within 3 years of the first offense
Drivers are not only subject to penalties when pulled over but also if they are involved in an accident. Because other parties are involved, penalties for involvement in an accident could not only cost a fortune but also jeopardize the driver’s insurance rate. These penalties could make them liable for all damages due to the accident, including the other driver’s medical and insurance costs.
Penalties for driving without insurance in an accident
Having car insurance when driving on Florida roads is necessary to protect drivers and others on the road. While drivers can face penalties when pulled over without proof of insurance, they can face more costly penalties when other drivers are involved. In the case of an accident, drivers without insurance could face consequences, including:
– 100% liability for the entire cost of the accident
– 100% of the cost of damages and injuries done to all other parties involved
– Possibilities for insurance rates to increase
– Possibility to obtain an SR-22 certificate (certificate of financial responsibility for damages)
Accidents happen and, in the case of those with insurance, are a battle between companies. Florida is a no-fault state. Meaning the majority of accidents are paid for by the insurance company. When individuals do not have insurance and costs fall on them, the last option is to file suit, which requires legal representation.
Finding accident representation
When drivers find themselves in a situation where they are uninsured, they can hire an attorney through appwinit.com. The process is simple and only requires a quick picture of the ticket followed by a short processing time, one that is normally less than 48 hours.
After that, a knowledgeable attorney will respond with helpful information to fight the case and help uninsured drivers get the best representation possible. There is a lot to consider and many things to present, which is why an attorney could be necessary and helpful to help you understand your options.
For legal questions, help with questions about insurance, and more, give appwinit.com a visit and see what they can do for you. Consultations are free and finding an answer is quick, getting you back on the road, legally.
