Florida’s minimum auto insurance requirements are among the lowest in the country. If you commute on I-4, SR 417, or SR 434 and deal with tourist traffic every day, the minimum often isn’t enough to protect you.
What does Florida require?
Most Florida drivers must carry:
- $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers your own medical bills and lost wages no matter who caused the accident.
- $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL), which pays for damage you cause to someone else’s car or property.
Bodily Injury Liability, which pays for injuries you cause to other people, isn’t required for most drivers. It can become required after certain violations, such as a DUI.
Where does the minimum fall short?
- $10,000 won’t replace most cars. If you cause a crash with a new SUV or a rental car full of tourists on International Drive, the damage can easily go past your PDL limit, and you’re personally responsible for the rest.
- There’s no protection if you injure someone. Without Bodily Injury coverage, a serious at-fault accident could leave your savings, home equity, and wages exposed to a lawsuit.
- PIP has limits. You generally must get treatment within 14 days of the accident, and benefits may be capped at $2,500 unless a doctor determines you had an emergency medical condition.
What coverage makes sense for Central Florida drivers?
- Bodily Injury Liability: many drivers choose $100,000/$300,000 or higher, especially if they own a home.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: protects you when the other driver has little or no coverage, which is common in Florida.
- Comprehensive: covers flood, hail, falling trees, and theft. It’s the coverage that matters when a hurricane floods your street.
- Collision: repairs your car no matter who was at fault.
- Umbrella policy: an affordable extra layer of liability for homeowners and families.
Won’t more coverage cost a lot more?
Higher limits usually cost less than people expect, and bundling auto with your homeowners policy can offset some of it. The best way to find out is to compare quotes side by side.
Want to see what better protection costs? We’ll quote minimum coverage next to recommended limits so you can see the difference in price and protection.
This article is for general educational purposes only. Coverage, eligibility, discounts and pricing vary by carrier and policy. Talk with a licensed Florida insurance agent about your specific situation.
Why Is My Insurance Company Asking About My Roof Age and a 4-Point Inspection?
Do I Really Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida?
