When asked about auto insurance, many drivers may immediately think about the three most common categories: comprehension, collision and liability. Liability coverage might be the most important since it protects assets in the event of a catastrophe. A person responsible for a severe auto accident may lean on $500,000 in available insurance for financial protections. However, other auto insurance coverage options could prove beneficial to both the driver and any accident victims in Florida.
Insurance coverage and Florida law
Medical payment coverage often appears on policies. The coverage might not provide anything close to standard liability amounts, but the stated medical payment policy limit could apply to a person’s medical bills. So, someone injured in an accident may have two different coverage components to explore and settlement negotiations.
Florida residents may carry PIP coverage or no-fault insurance, which addresses injuries no matter who is at fault. Florida’s insurance statutes require $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage insurance. No requirement exists for bodily injury liability insurance, though.
Dealing with uninsured and underinsured drivers
What happens when a negligent driver has either too little insurance or no insurance? If the victim carries uninsured or underinsured coverage, then a first-party claim against his/her insurance company becomes an option.
An uninsured driver may have no assets, so a lawsuit could prove fruitless. However, filing a $100,000 claim against an uninsured provision in a policy provides a possible solution.
Underinsured drivers might present concerns, too. Some drivers may only have the minimum amount of Florida insurance. An accident victim could file a claim against the $20,000 in available third-party coverage and then seek additional money from his/her insurance policy through the underinsured motorist provision.
Be aware that Florida remains a state frequented by people from other regions. Therefore, they may be driving with higher minimums derived from their state’s insurance policy. Regardless, the amount could still be too low, and they might not have PIP coverage.
Drivers may need to review their policies. Does it present uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and are the policy limits adequate?
Additional auto insurance policy coverage could help someone hurt in a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Working with an attorney may better facilitate a claim settlement.