Driving in Miami is not easy. One of the biggest issues we face is the prevalence of uninsured motorists on the roads. In fact, Florida consistently ranks among the top states for uninsured drivers. Worse yet, Florida is one of only four states that allow you to legally drive a car without bodily injury coverage. With this in mind, the question arises: Do we really need uninsured motorist coverage?
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of insurance that protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any bodily injury insurance or, doesn’t have enough to cover your damages. In Florida, uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory. But, insurance companies are required to offer it to their policyholders if their policyholder buys bodily injury coverage.
The Importance for South Floridians
As mentioned earlier, we have a significant number of uninsured motorists. According to recent statistics, approximately one in four drivers in Florida is uninsured. Per this recent Newsweek story, this might be because car insurance in Florida is among the most expensive in the country. This equates out to an average monthly cost of $115 for minimum coverage and $270 for more extensive coverage. The national average for minimum coverage is $52 per month or $627 per year. That is much lower than Florida’s annual average of $1,385. This means that if you’re involved in an accident, there’s a substantial chance that the other driver may not have insurance.
The Minimum Required Insurance in Florida is Very Limited Coverage
While Florida law requires drivers to carry insurance, the required coverage is minimal. And the most critical coverage, bodily injury coverage, is not even required. The minimum coverage is $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of Property Damage (PD). Someone with only the required minimum coverage in Florida has NO coverage for your medical bills. For those who do carry bodily injury coverage, it is often low limits of $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. If you’re involved in a severe accident resulting in significant injuries, those low limits could leave tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and bodily injury damages unpaid.
Protection Against Underinsured Drivers
When the other driver has no insurance, or insufficient bodily injury limits to pay for all your damages, uninsured motorist coverage can step in to bridge the gap between what the other driver’s insurance covers and the total cost of your bodily injury damages. For that reason, uninsured motorists are often the most valuable coverage you can purchase in Florida.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that you have uninsured motorist coverage can provide peace of mind while driving on our South Florida roads. It ensures that you have an additional layer of protection. This is just in case you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Contact Us
Navigating the complexities of insurance coverage and personal injury claims can be daunting, especially in the aftermath of an accident. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options. An experienced attorney can also assist you in pursuing compensation for your damages if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. If you or someone you care about has been injured or involved in an accident across South Florida, contact our accident lawyers and Miami personal injury attorneys at Weinstein & Cohen at 305-374-1011, or visit fairnessforall.com for an absolutely free legal consultation to learn more about your options.
