Why Florida Drivers Should Consider Obtaining Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Florida is one of only a handful of no-fault auto insurance states, which means that accident victims must first seek compensation from their own insurers when attempting to cover their medical bills and vehicle repair costs. If, however, policy amounts are exceeded or an accident victim sustains a serious injury, then he or she may have the option of filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. Unfortunately, this can become problematic when the at-fault driver either can’t be identified (hit and run), or he or she doesn’t have insurance. In these cases, having uninsured motorist coverage can make all the difference in whether an injured claimant can recover compensation for the full amount of his or her losses.
Mandatory Minimum Insurance in Florida
In Florida, all drivers are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This ostensibly ensures that accident victims will always have access to coverage in the event of a collision. The reality, however, is far from comforting. In fact, Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation, at more than 20 percent. This is why it’s so important for Florida drivers to also consider purchasing uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, as any driver who is involved in a crash with an uninsured driver and who exceeds his or her own PIP policy limits could end up on the hook for any remaining losses.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist insurance is a type of optional coverage that safeguards drivers in the event of an accident caused by an uninsured driver. These policies help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when a driver is involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance. These policies also cover costs not paid for by PIP insurance and property damage policies, like:
- Uncovered medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering;
- Hit and run accidents, where the at-fault driver flees the scene of the crash;
- Accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists; and
- Injuries sustained by passengers.
Without uninsured motorist coverage, accident victims would end up facing these costs on their own. This in turn, can lead to significant financial strain on top of the physical and emotional repercussions that so often accompany being involved in an accident.
Contact an Experienced Florida Auto Accident Lawyer
Uninsured motorist coverage basically acts as a safety net, protecting injured parties from the financial consequences of being involved in a serious collision with an uninsured driver. Given the high rate of uninsured drivers across the state, it is important that Florida drivers consider purchasing an uninsured motorist policy. If you are thinking about purchasing such a policy, or were injured in an accident and had your own claim for reimbursement denied, feel free to call the dedicated Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorneys at Boone & Davis for help. We don’t charge for initial consultations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or online message to set up an appointment today.
Sources:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
