Those of us who live and drive in Florida are aware that we face some challenges. There is the annual influx of visitors unfamiliar with our roads. There is the seemingly unrelenting traffic on major highways. There is the unpredictable weather that can brew up a major storm – and low visibility – at a moment’s notice.
But you may not even be aware of one of the most perilous situations on our roads.
According to the latest numbers, nearly 27% of the motorists driving next to you on Florida highways and byways are uninsured.
That startling statistic places Florida at the top of the list nationally; in fact, we have twice as many uninsured drivers on our roads per capita than the rest of the country.
Won’t My Personal Insurance Cover Me?
Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, drivers are required by law to obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which serves to compensate the insured driver and members of his/her household regardless of fault. PIP covers the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and incidental costs associated with medical care.
But it is important to note what PIP does NOT cover – lost wages, future medical bills, pain and suffering, and any ongoing disability.
Bodily injury coverage satisfies claims made against you for the accidental bodily injury of other parties injured in a crash involving an insured motor vehicle. It is not intended to cover the insured, or the insured’s household.
As Florida law does not make bodily injury liability coverage mandatory, if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver or underinsured driver (carrying no bodily injury coverage), your recovery is limited to your own PIP coverage.
Remember, 1 in 4 Florida drivers do not have insurance at all. Therefore, in order to best protect yourself, it is highly recommended that you add Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage to your policy.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
As stated, your PIP car insurance coverage will not reimburse you for future medical expenses, lost wages, disability, or pain and suffering. Under Florida law, if you choose to carry bodily injury liability insurance, the insurance company is required to provide Uninsured Motorist coverage, unless you expressly reject it.
Many people, looking to save money, do reject the coverage, not understanding the implications of that decision.
If you have multiple drivers and cars in your household, you will want to ask your insurance company about Stacked Uninsured Motorist coverage, which will provide the broadest coverage for you and your family, and the best protection against uninsured drivers.
Given the reality of the high rate of uninsured driving on Sarasota and Manatee county roads, experts recommend purchasing both Bodily Injury and Uninsured Motorist coverage for your vehicle.
You can trust the professionals at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group to help you to understand all of your options and make sure that in the event of a serious accident, you won’t have to worry about money and medical bills.
