Your Guide to Car Insurance in Florida

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage (BI)
• Property Damage Liability Coverage (PD)
• Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM or UIM)
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage

If you suffer an accident injury and don’t know where to turn, we’re here to help. Contact us at (863) 292-6922 today to learn about your rights.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Florida laws require Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage for drivers. It is the minimum mandatory coverage for most vehicles. With this coverage, your insurance covers up to $10,000 in total medical bills and lost wages after a crash no matter who is at fault. Often referred to as no-fault coverage, it helps all drivers with at least some compensation following an injury-related crash.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

The state does not require drivers to have MedPay as it is an optional coverage with differing limits depending on what you purchase. This type of coverage helps pay for additional medical expenses outside of the $10,000 covered by PIP. MedPay will only pay up to the limit outlined in your policy.

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage (BI)

Bodily injury liability coverage helps protect you in the event you are at fault for an accident. This type of coverage pays for the other individual’s injuries he or she may suffer in a car accident. If you are liable for an accident, bodily injury liability coverage can pay for the other party’s medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limit.

Property Damage Liability Coverage (PD)

Similar to bodily injury liability, property damage liability coverage is helpful when you are at fault for an accident. However, this type of coverage pays for the damage that the other driver’s vehicle sustains up to your policy limits.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM or UIM)

Far too often, drivers refuse uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. However, it’s often more costly not to have this type of coverage, especially if you’re in an accident. Here’s how coverage works for uninsured and underinsured motorist policies:

• Uninsured motorist: You can recover compensation for your damages through your own insurance provider in the event the at-fault driver does not have coverage or in a hit-and-run accident.
• Underinsured motorist: You can recover additional compensation in excess of the at-fault driver’s policy limits. For instance, if your damages are $25,000, but the at-fault driver’s limits only cover $10,000 through PIP, you may be able to recover more from your own provider.

In many situations, you can use uninsured motorist coverage if you live with someone with this type of coverage or you’re in a car with someone with this coverage, regardless of fault in the collision.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage can help you afford to repair damages to your vehicle following an accident with someone or an object, regardless of fault. This coverage is up to the actual cash value of your damages, but there is a deductible you must meet as well.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage can help you with the cost of repairs in the event you experience fire, hail, vandalism, or theft. For instance, if someone breaks your window in an attempt to steal something from inside your vehicle, you can utilize comprehensive coverage to get your window fixed.

At Dismuke Law, PLLC, we want you to understand your rights after a crash. Our Lakeland car accident attorneys stand by your side when you need us most, explaining your options every step of the way, and protecting your rights to pursue compensation. Let us be your voice.

Contact our firm today at (863) 292-6922 to discuss your potential case.