Learn about the nuances of Car Insurance in Florida
Car insurance in Florida is expensive. You don't want to overpay for coverage, but you can't afford to skip what you really need. Here are some common questions we are asked on a daily basis.
Question 1 - What is Full Coverage Auto Insurance in Florida and do I need it?
"Full Coverage" is not an insurance term and does not have a specific meaning. Most people who use the phrase refer to First Party Physical Damage Coverage, otherwise known as the two coverages Comprehensive & Collision.
Collision is as simple as it sounds: it repairs your vehicle after it collides with something, or something collides with it. This is usually another vehicle, but it could be a fence, sign, or other object that damages your vehicle.
Comprehensive, sometimes called "Other Than Collision", is most often for acts of weather, theft, vandalism, or collisions with animals (such as a deer standing in the middle of the road). In Florida, this coverage also fixes or replaces your damaged windshield without charging a deductible.
If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you will almost always need to carry both of these coverages.
Question 2 - What is the minimum coverage I need?
To legally operate a vehicle on Florida roadways, you need Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability each at limits of $10,000.
To legally operate a vehicle and comply with most car loans, you will need to add on Comprehensive and Collision.
If you are leasing a vehicle, you will almost certainly be required to add Bodily Injury Liability at limits of at least $100,000 and increase Property Damage Liability to $50,000.
If you are required to carry an SR-22 or FR-44, your driver's license has seen better days. One of our agents will help determine the exact coverage you need as each case is unique.
Question 3 - Florida is a No-Fault state, right?
This phrase doesn't mean what most people assume it does. It is more appropriate to label Florida a "Regardless-of-Fault" state. This refers to the Personal Injury Protection. If you are injured in a car accident, you can get treatment and have the bills paid without requiring a lawsuit against the other party unless it reaches $10,000 or more.
When an accident occurs, adjusters will still determine who was At-Fault and to what degree. This will impact rates in the future.
Question 4 - Are there any new discounts we should know about?
Yes! Most carriers are offering a discount to download their mobile app and connect it to your account. They will share driving data with the carrier, but this is one of the few times where you can at least get some money back for sharing your data.
Paperless is another easy discount that is often missed. The key is to look for that final email to CONFIRM your enrollment in paperless delivery. Across all carriers, this is the most missed step.
Question 5 - Does it make sense to shop every renewal?
We believe it always makes sense to shop your auto insurance in Florida to make sure your carrier is still competitive. What doesn't make sense is for YOU to have to do the shopping.
Our agents shop each renewal without needing to ask. If we find a better offer, we present you with that option. Sometimes it makes sense to stay put, but you'll have the confidence knowing your agent looked at it and gave you the guidance you needed.
Have More Questions?
Call 863-606-5147
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