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Law Office of Rico Lively

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Florida's Growing Population and the Need for Bodily Injury and Uninsured Motorist Insurance

The pandemic sparked a massive migration to the Sunshine State, with Florida welcoming hundreds of thousands of new residents each year since 2020. Many newcomers are drawn by the promise of year-round sunshine, no state income tax, and a more relaxed lifestyle. However, these new Floridians often discover an unexpected challenge: the state's unique—and potentially risky—approach to automobile insurance.

Florida's Minimum Insurance Requirements: A Reality Check

Unlike many other states, Florida has surprisingly minimal car insurance requirements. New residents are often shocked to learn that the state doesn't require drivers to carry Bodily Injury (BI) or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage.

For those unfamiliar with these types of insurance:

  • Bodily Injury (BI) insurance is coverage that pays for injuries you cause to others in a crash, including their medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you and your family when you're injured by a driver who either has no insurance or doesn't have enough insurance to cover your injuries.

1. $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

  • Covers 80% of medical bills up to $10,000
  • Provides 60% of lost wages for injury-related work absences
  • Includes $5,000 in death benefits

2. $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL)

  • Covers damage to others' vehicles or property in accidents you cause

Why These Minimums Don't Cut It in Today's Florida

With Florida's roads becoming increasingly crowded due to the population boom, these minimal requirements create a perfect storm of risk. Consider this: When a family moves from a state like New Jersey or Michigan, where BI and UM coverage is mandatory, they enter a system where many drivers around them carry only the bare minimum—or worse, drive without any bodily injury (BI) insurance altogether.

The Critical Role of BI and UM Coverage

Bodily Injury (BI) Insurance

  • Limits can range from as low as $10,000.00 to more than $1,000,000.00.
  • Covers injuries up to the limit of the purchased amount of coverage.
  • Pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

  • UM insurance is available to you when an at-fault driver lacks adequate coverage to pay for the injuries they cause you.
  • Can help to pay for injuries and damages more than the at fault driver’s BI coverage is their coverage is not high enough to pay for the injuries they caused.
  • Provides peace of mind in a state with high uninsured driver rates.

Protecting Yourself in Florida's Unique Insurance Landscape

As Florida's population continues to surge, the importance of ensuring you are protected with the right type of car insurance coverage becomes even more critical. With more drivers hitting Florida's roads year after year, the risk of a crash gets higher, and the state's minimal requirements leave many newcomers vulnerable to devastating financial consequences. Imagine suffering a catastrophic injury that prevents you from working, requires extensive medical treatment, or results in permanent disability—only to discover the at-fault driver has no BI coverage. Without proper insurance coverage, you could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and a dramatically altered quality of life with no way to recover these losses.

Take Action Today

Don't wait for an accident to discover the gaps in your coverage. While Florida's insurance requirements might be minimal, your protection doesn't have to be. Make sure you're properly covered for the realities of driving in today's rapidly growing Florida. Review your current policy carefully and consider upgrading to include BI and UM coverage if you do not already have this coverage and can afford to do so.

Call Rico If You Have Been in a Crash

If you have been injured in a crash while driving anywhere in Florida, call Rico now for a free case review. Call 561-801-8966.

Contact Rico Lively

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, Rico Lively is here to help. With his deep expertise, proven success, and client-centered approach, Rico will fight to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.