Orlando liability car insurance references two different types of insurance; bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Insurance in Florida differs from other states that are not considered a ‘no-fault’ state. Paired with these two liability coverages, personal injury protection insurance coverage is required in all no-fault states. But how much liability is required by Florida law and what does it actually cover?
How Much Liability Car Insurance is Required?
In Orlando, you should be driving with the right car insurance coverage just in case you are involved in a car accident. Orlando is seeing a constant increase in drivers on the road. As we mentioned before, there are two types of liability insurance:
- Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage pays for the costs of another person’s injuries as the result of a vehicle accident. This includes medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
- Property Damage Liability: This coverage pays for the damage to another person’s property caused by a vehicle accident. The damage can be done to either a vehicle or someone’s property.
Property damage liability (PDL) and personal injury protection (PIP) coverages are the only ones required for Florida drivers to carry. The required minimum coverage for PDL and PIP is $10,000 each. In order for drivers to be able to register their vehicle, they must show proof of having both of these coverages. These state minimums should not be considered full coverage by any means.
Although bodily injury liability (BIL) isn’t required for a majority of drivers, it is required for vehicles that are registered as taxis. Required by law, taxis must carry BIL coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per accident, and $50,000 for PDL. BIL is also required for drivers who have caused DUI vehicle accidents. The minimum requirement to have BIL coverage is $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident.
Apart from the insurance coverages already mentioned, there are a few more options that are not required for drivers but are recommended. Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and medical payments coverage.
What is Covered With Liability Car Insurance?
Insurance companies tend to make it difficult to understand what exactly is covered with liability car insurance. When you are driving around Orlando, it is important to know exactly how you are protected. Also to know what other types of car insurance coverage are available to you.
Property damage liability protects you from paying out of pocket for the damages in an accident. It doesn’t matter whether you were at fault or the victim as you would need the coverage in both scenarios. If you were the victim, and the at-fault driver does not have property damage liability, getting compensated can be difficult. Our Orlando car accident attorneys can provide you with the proper legal counsel on how to proceed with a settlement.
Personal injury protection coverage pays for your medical expenses for injuries but is often not enough to cover everything. Unfortunately, if your injuries are not considered to be major or the accident is not considered serious, the maximum amount given to you by your insurance company will only be $2,500. If the injuries or accident is considered major, you will be collecting 80% of the total amount of bills to be paid and 60% of lost wages if you are temporarily or permanently disabled.
Other Types of Orlando Car Insurance Coverage
There are other types of coverage that are available to all Orlando drivers that are not required but are recommended. We mentioned earlier that these are uninsured or underinsured motorists, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and medical payments coverage. Adding these to your policy would be considered making your policy full coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage come highly recommended by all car accident attorneys and insurance companies. This coverage will protect you as an Orlando car accident victim from an at-fault driver who doesn’t have any or an adequate amount of insurance coverage to pay for your damages. UM is recommended because PIP coverage can only provide payment for costs below 80% of $10,000.
Comprehensive coverage takes care of your vehicle’s damage that wasn’t caused by a vehicle collision. This could be theft, glass breaking, hitting an animal, or weather damages. Comprehensive doesn’t cover normal wear and tear on your vehicle. Things that should be replaced in a timely manner such as tires, brakes, and windshield wipers.
Collision insurance pays for your vehicle’s damage that was caused by hitting an object such as a mailbox, pothole, or barricade. Technically, collision insurance doesn’t pay for these repairs directly but rather it reimburses you for the costs.
Medical payments coverage pays for your medical expenses. This coverage is available to all Orlando drivers and can be an extra helping hand especially if the injuries are severe. However, medical payments coverage can also help with paying for funeral costs if there was a death relating to a car accident. This coverage will cover the policy owner, their family, and passengers in their vehicle.
About the Author
Sean Greene
Sean J. Greene has recovered more than $150 million in the past 10 years for clients. He specializes within the firm in wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home malpractice, and product liability cases.
Sean has represented coaches and players in the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) who have been victims of personal injuries. In 2001, after winning a trial on liability, he recovered $11,200,000 for the family of David Griggs, the former Miami Dolphins player who died in an automobile accident in Broward County, Florida.
He has received the highest distinction of an AV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes Sean as possessing “Very High-Preeminent” legal ability with “Very High” ethical standards. Additionally, he is a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum whose membership is limited to trial lawyers who have achieved a trial verdict or settlement in the amount of $1,000,000 or more. Sean is widely known in South Florida, as he cohosted the TV program “Your Legal Rights” and lectures throughout the state of Florida on various legal issues.
Sean Greene
Sean J. Greene has recovered more than $150 million in the past 10 years for clients. He specializes within the firm in wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home malpractice, and product liability cases. Sean has represented coaches and players in the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) who have been victims of personal injuries. In 2001, after winning a trial on liability, he recovered $11,200,000 for the family of David Griggs, the former Miami Dolphins player who died in an automobile accident in Broward County, Florida. He has received the highest distinction of an AV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes Sean as possessing “Very High-Preeminent” legal ability with “Very High” ethical standards. Additionally, he is a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum whose membership is limited to trial lawyers who have achieved a trial verdict or settlement in the amount of $1,000,000 or more. Sean is widely known in South Florida, as he cohosted the TV program “Your Legal Rights” and lectures throughout the state of Florida on various legal issues.