Car Accident Insurance in Florida

Types of Insurances for Cars in Florida

There are many types of insurances for cars in Florida. Some are legally required, and others are optional. Here’s a quick look at the main types of Florida insurance:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Florida is a “no-fault” state for car insurance, so PIP coverage is sometimes called “no-fault insurance.” If you get hurt in a car accident, you file a claim with your own PIP provider — regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

PIP works differently in each state. In Florida, PIP covers the following:

• 80% of your medical expenses up to your policy limit
• 60% of your lost income up to the policy limit (if your injuries prevent you from working)
• A $5,000 death benefit to your beneficiary if you die in a car accident

PIP is meant to simplify the process of receiving medical care after a car accident. Instead of having to file a lawsuit to have your medical care paid for, you simply file a claim with your own insurance. 

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability insurance pays for injuries to other drivers in accidents when you are at fault. Florida requires injured drivers to first file a claim with their PIP insurance. However, if someone suffers a serious injury, and their medical expenses exceed their PIP coverage limit, they may sue you for damages.

If you’re sued for a car accident and have no bodily injury liability coverage, you may be personally liable for the other driver’s damages.

Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Property damage liability insurance pays for damage you cause to other drivers’ vehicles. If you’re at fault for an accident, and the other driver’s car needs repairs, the driver could file a claim with your property damage liability provider to cover repair costs.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Unfortunately, Florida is among the states with the highest number of uninsured drivers. Research indicates that between 16% and 20% of all Florida drivers are uninsured. 

While your PIP coverage will pay for your medical care regardless of fault, your PDL coverage won’t pay to fix your car. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help cover expenses if you are hit by a driver with no insurance. 

Collision/Comprehensive Coverage

Many people mix up these two types of optional insurance coverage:

• Collision pays for damage caused by a car accident regardless of who’s at fault.
• Comprehensive pays for damage from weather, vandalism, and other non-accident causes.

It’s important to understand that while collision and comprehensive coverage are not legally required, many lenders require you to carry both while you’re financing a vehicle.

Required Minimum Coverage in Florida 

When you register a car in Florida, you must have at least the following insurance coverage:

• $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
• $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage

Compared to many other states, Florida’s minimum coverage limits are fairly low. Given the high cost of medical care, and the number of vehicles on the road, it may be wise to carry more than the minimum.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Florida

Filing a car insurance claim can be daunting if you’ve never had to do it before. Here are the key steps in filing a claim:

• Report the accident to the insurance company
• Gather supporting evidence 
• Submit the evidence along with your claim
• Cooperate with the insurance adjuster to finalize the claim

To protect yourself in case of future denials, keep track of all communications with the insurance company. It’s often wise to ask a lawyer to review any proposed settlement before you accept.

Why You Should Seek a Car Insurance Claim Lawyer

Why do you need an attorney for car insurance claims? Unfortunately, many insurance companies do their best to avoid paying claims fairly. They may deny coverage for claims that should be covered by your policy, or they may only offer to pay a small percentage of your claim.

If you’re having any kind of issue with your insurance claim, it’s worth contacting a car insurance claim lawyer. An insurance lawyer can help you with each step of the claims process, and help you take legal action if necessary.

Have you been injured in a Miami head-on collision? Get immediate legal help.

How Do Insurance Companies Pay Out Claims on a Car?

If you need to file a claim for vehicle damage, the insurance company can’t simply take your word for it. An insurance adjuster will review the evidence you send in support of your claim, and in some cases, the adjuster may need to inspect the car in person.

So, how do insurance companies pay out claims on a car? Often, the adjuster will need to see repair estimates and proof of how much you paid for the vehicle. If the insurer pays the claim, they may either pay the repair shop directly, or send a check to you.

How Long Will Insurance Pay for a Rental Car After an Accident?

Many car insurance policies will cover the cost of a rental car while yours is being repaired (or until you get a new car if yours was totaled). However, this benefit isn’t indefinite. Each insurance provider sets their own limit for how long it will pay for a rental, but many insurers will pay for you to have a rental car for a maximum of 30 days.

How Insurance Covers Medical Bills Related to Injuries From an Accident

Injuries from auto accidents can be costly. While PIP doesn’t cover all of your medical expenses, it covers a significant portion of them — and it also saves you from having to pay up front and wait to be reimbursed. 

Typically, your medical provider bills your insurance provider for 80% of your covered medical expenses up to your policy limit. The remaining 20% will be billed directly to you.

Does Health Insurance Cover Car Accidents?

It might seem like you can use your health insurance for car accident injuries. So, how does health insurance cover car accidents? In Florida, you must go through your PIP insurance first. However, if you still have medical bills once PIP has been exhausted, your health insurance will likely cover the remaining care.

How Does Car Insurance Work When You Are at Fault?

So, how does car insurance work when you are at fault? If you are at fault for an accident in Florida, here’s how insurance for car accidents works:

• If injured, you and the other driver each file claims with your own PIP providers
• The other driver files a claim against your PDL coverage for car repairs

If your car was damaged in an accident where you were at fault, your PDL insurance won’t cover repairs. If you have collision insurance, you may file a claim. If you don’t have collision insurance, you are responsible for covering car repairs out of pocket.

How Much Does Car Insurance Go Up After an Accident?

Florida law prohibits insurance companies from raising your rates after an accident unless you were substantially to blame for the accident. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to determine exactly how much your rates will go up after an accident.

Post-accident rate increases can be influenced by several factors, including the severity of the accident, your previous driving record, and whether drugs or alcohol were involved. 

Different insurance companies also have different formulas for raising rates. If you see that your premiums have risen dramatically, you might be able to find less expensive insurance through another provider.

Why Did Your Car Insurance Go Up Without an Accident?

You already understand that your car insurance premiums can skyrocket after an accident, particularly if you are at fault. Unfortunately, countless drivers each year see their insurance rates rise even without an accident. 

If you’re wondering, “Why did my car insurance go up without an accident?” there are several possible reasons for unexpected rate hikes, like these:

• Speeding tickets and other traffic violations
• An increase in insurance claims filed in your area
• A decrease in your credit score
• Inflation

If your rates have suddenly increased, it’s worth contacting your insurer to see if you qualify for any discounts you aren’t already taking advantage of. Alternatively, you may want to shop around for quotes to see if another company offers similar coverage at a lower rate.

How Can Bernstein & Maryanoff Help You Understand Your Car Insurance Policy in Florida?

If you need the help of an attorney for car insurance claims, you’ve come to the right place. Our team has years of experience helping people like you navigate issues, like these:

• Documenting property damage claims
• Navigating no-fault insurance
• Filing claims for compensation
• Liability coverage analysis

There’s no need to worry about upfront fees — we work on a contingency basis, which means you only pay us if we secure compensation for you.

How Do You Schedule a Free Consultation With Bernstein & Maryanoff To Discuss Your Car Insurance Claim?

Whether you’ve just been hurt in a Florida auto accident, or you’re having trouble getting your car accident insurance to pay a claim, our team is here for you. 

Get legal advice now. Call 1-800-429-4529 for your free consultation.

Citations:

Automobile Insurance Basics. (2025).
Carbonaro, G. (2025). Uninsured Drivers Soar in Florida as Insurance Crisis Deepens.
FLA. STAT. § 626.9541 (2025).
Florida Insurance Requirements. (2025)

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