The Basics of Car Insurance
Even individuals that have purchased auto insurance for years can easily be confused by the terminology associated with their auto insurance and exactly what it covers. Policyholders should know what their basic coverage requirements are, the optional coverage that’s available to them, and the costs for which each type will be responsible.
No-Fault
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. That means that if an accident occurs, each driver’s insurance is responsible for paying the medical costs, along with damage to the vehicle and surroundings – no matter who was at fault.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida motorists are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 for personal injury protection. If injuries exceed the coverage limit of their insurance, an injured party could still sue for amounts over that. PIP pays for 80 percent of reasonable and necessary medical expenses if individuals receive initial services within 14 days after the accident. It also pays 60 percent of work loss and a $5,000 death benefit.
Property Damage Liability (PDL)
A minimum of $10,000 in property damage coverage is required. If costs are more than the stated coverage limit for an individual’s insurance, drivers can be sued.
Optional Coverage
There are several types of optional coverage available to purchase, one of which is bodily injury liability (BIL). It protects drivers in an accident in which someone is injured or killed due to the individual’s negligence.
There’s a very good chance that an at-fault driver in a vehicle accident may not be insured. Individuals have the option of suing the at-fault driver, but actually receiving the money may not happen. That’s when uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is strategic for covering medical expenses.
Medical payments (Med Pay) coverage pays reasonable medical costs and/or funeral costs, no matter who was at-fault.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages sustained by vehicles from causes that encompass accidents, falling objects, fire, flood, hitting an animal, theft, vandalism, and wind.
Adding collision coverage will pay to repair a vehicle if it crashes into anything other than an animal, no matter who was at fault.
Towing and labor coverage covers emergency road service, but limits on distances apply.
Drivers may also want to consider rental reimbursement coverage if their vehicle is inoperable or unsafe to drive.
For more information about how The Sena Group can help you with any
of your insurance needs, please contact us at 561-391-4661.
We can be found on Social Media at the following links.
The Sena Group
6501 Congress Ave., Ste. 100
Boca Raton, FL 33487
