Proposed Law Would Require Florida Drivers to Carry Bodily Injury Insurance

Florida lawmakers have proposed new legislation that would require Florida drivers to carry bodily injury coverage on their auto insurance policy in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident to ensure there is minimum coverage in the event of car accidents within Florida.

Bodily injury insurance provides coverage to a driver who is found to be at-fault for causing an accident that results in the driver and/or passengers of other vehicles to be injured as a result of the crash. The proposed amounts mean that if one person brings a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy, the maximum insurance benefit they could potentially recover is $25,000. However, if multiple injured parties bring a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy, the maximum they could receive in total would be $50,000.

Florida is one of only a few states that do not require drivers to carry bodily injury coverage, nor does the state require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance provides coverage to drivers or passengers of a vehicle who are injured in a Florida car accident where the at-fault driver has inadequate or no coverage at all. This is troublesome due to the fact that many South Florida drivers in areas like Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Hollywood, Miami and others frequently do not carry any of this coverage, which would leave South Florida car accident victims with potentially no available compensation for their injuries.

It is important to note that the proposed legislation would repeal the requirement that Florida drivers carry PIP/No-Fault insurance, which currently helps Florida car accident victims pay for medical treatment related to the accident, regardless of who was at fault. PIP insurance is helpful for South Florida car accident victims who are injured because it helps pay for medical treatment, which is even more important when the car accident involves a Florida driver with no bodily injury coverage.

Aside from whatever Florida lawmakers decide to do with regard to auto insurance requirements, it is wise for every driver to get bodily injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the highest amount they can afford, to help protect them in the event that they are involved in a Florida car accident. If you or someone you know has been in a South Florida car accident, it is imperative to contact a skilled Fort Lauderdale attorney, with the knowledge and experience to help guide you through the complex insurance process, and to help ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

For more information on this topic or any other, please contact the Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300, or at info@schulaw.com