Protect Yourself Against Uninsured Drivers With This Very Important Coverage
According to the Insurance Research Council, Florida has the highest percentage of uninsured drivers of anywhere in the country, with more than 1 in 4 people hitting the road without a policy. That’s a pretty alarming statistic, especially when you consider that our state also has shockingly low coverage minimums. These statistics demonstrate why it’s so crucial to have uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverages in your policy.
Florida Law Doesn’t Require Much Coverage
Florida law mandates that all drivers have insurance, but it doesn’t require much of it. The minimum levels of coverage regulated by law are $10,000 for property damage liability per accident, and another $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP). It’s easy to exceed these limits in the event of a severe accident. Additionally, drivers do not need to carry any coverage for bodily injury liability.
If that sounds like a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo, consider it this way. Let’s say you’re injured in an accident through no fault of your own and suffer injuries totaling $30,000. Once you exceed your own PIP coverage, you’ll need to sue the other driver in order to recover compensation from an insurance provider. That’s easier said than done, unless you have UM/UIM coverage in your policy, which protects you from having to pay out-of- pocket for expenses incurred when a driver with less than adequate insurance causes a serious accident.
Lower Premiums Can Put You at Risk
Insurance providers are legally obligated to provide UM/UIM coverage when you enroll in your policy. The problem is that drivers have a right to waive such coverage. They often do just that, seeing only the lower premiums and not realizing what they are missing out on. Without this coverage in your policy, recovering damages in the event of a serious accident becomes a whole lot harder.
Nobody wants or expects to be in an auto accident. That being said, it’s much easier to handle the aftermath of an accident when you have a solid insurance policy. You don’t want to find out you’re lacking in coverage after a wreck has happened.
We advise all drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage in their policy. If you’re unsure about whether or not you have it, call your provider today.
