As with almost every state in the Union, auto insurance is a legal responsibility for all owners of vehicles registered in Florida. Driving without car insurance can result in serious legal penalties. Furthermore, a lack of insurance can lead to severe financial consequences, putting you and your loved ones at risk.
Understanding Florida’s auto insurance requirements is essential for every motorist in the state. If you are an uninsured driver who has been involved in an accident, or if you have suffered injuries in a crash with someone who lacks the proper insurance coverage, speaking to a Tampa car accident attorney for no-insurance accidents can help you understand your rights and options.
Legal Requirements for Insurance in Florida
In most states, the at-fault party’s liability insurance policy pays for the other party’s medical expenses and property damage. However, Florida is one of the few states that does not require car owners to purchase liability insurance. Instead, as a no-fault state, Florida requires vehicle owners to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage.
When someone carries PIP insurance, their policy will pay for a certain percentage of their own medical expenses (usually 80 percent) and lost wages (usually 60 percent), regardless of who caused the accident.
Florida law requires motorists to purchase policies with minimum coverage limits of $10,000 in PIP insurance and $10,000 in PDL insurance.
It is worth noting that owners must meet the minimum insurance requirements for all registered vehicles with license plates. This means that even if you do not intend to drive the vehicle, you must still keep it insured unless you surrender your license plate.
Types of Optional Insurance Coverage for Florida Drivers
While Florida law only requires PIP and PDL coverage, there are several optional types of insurance that drivers may choose to purchase for added protection. These include:
- Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Coverage – This type of insurance covers the medical expenses and lost wages of others if you are at fault in an accident.
- Collision Coverage – This insurance helps pay for repairs to your vehicle if you are involved in a collision with another car or object.
- Comprehensive Coverage – This type of coverage protects your vehicle from non-collision-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This insurance helps cover your expenses if you are in an accident with a driver who lacks sufficient insurance coverage.
Uninsured Driver Legal Consequences in Tampa
Drivers who lack legally mandated insurance coverage in Florida face steep fines. For a first offense, the fine may be up to $500. For a second offense, the maximum fine is $1,000. For each subsequent offense, uninsured drivers face even steeper fines, as well as a driver’s license suspension.
A license suspension for driving without insurance can last up to three years. First-time offenders must pay a fee of $150 and demonstrate proof of insurance to have their license reinstated. Second-time offenders must pay a fee of $250, and a third offense within three years requires a $500 fee to reinstate the license.
Anyone who is caught driving with a suspended license may face much steeper fines, as well as the prospect of jail time.
Exemptions to Car Insurance Requirements in Florida
There are a few limited exemptions to Florida’s car insurance requirements. These include:
- Self-insurance – Some individuals with a net worth of more than $40,000 or companies with a large number of vehicles may be able to self-insure by providing proof of financial responsibility to the state.
- Certain types of vehicles – Some vehicles, such as government-owned cars or farm equipment, may be exempt from insurance requirements.
- Non-operational vehicles – If a vehicle is not being driven and the owner has surrendered the license plate, they may not be required to maintain insurance coverage on that vehicle.
If you are unsure whether these exceptions might apply to you, speak to your insurance company.
Accident Liability for Drivers Without Insurance
If an uninsured driver causes an accident, they may be personally liable for the other party’s medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. The injured party may file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver to seek compensation for their losses. If the uninsured driver loses the lawsuit, this can result in significant financial strain and possibly even bankruptcy.
In other cases, the injured party’s own insurance policy may provide coverage for accidents involving uninsured drivers, depending on the types of coverage they have purchased.
What to Do If You Are in an Accident Without Insurance
If you are involved in an accident and you do not have insurance, there are several steps you should take:
- Contact law enforcement to report the accident.
- Exchange contact and vehicle information with the other driver or drivers involved.
- Document the accident scene by taking photos of the damage and gathering witness statements, if possible.
- Seek medical attention for any injuries you may have sustained, even if you believe they are minor.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your legal options and potential liability.
- Be prepared to face the legal consequences of driving without insurance, which may include fines, license suspension, and personal liability for any damages or injuries caused by the accident.
Contact a Knowledgeable Florida Car Accident Attorney Today
Being involved in a traffic accident where one of the drivers lacks insurance coverage can make a stressful situation even more overwhelming. In such situations, you might be worried about your injuries, finances, and legal jeopardy. However, it is essential to keep in mind that you may still have options to protect yourself and possibly recover compensation.
The experienced Tampa, Florida, team at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has a thorough knowledge of personal injury law for uninsured motorist accidents, and we are ready to give you the support and advocacy you need at this challenging time. Call us today at (619) 233-5020 or contact us online for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you.
