In the context of liability protection, the term “full coverage” can be a bit of a misnomer. Full coverage doesn’t mean that the insured is “fully” covered, but rather refers to the bare minimum protection drivers must have under Florida law. As a driver in Florida, you should have a basic understanding of how insurance works and what you should do to protect yourself in the case of a car accident. Pierrot Law is a top Hollywood, FL law firm dedicated to helping Florida residents get the compensation they pay their monthly premiums for. Remember that insurance companies are always looking out for their own bottom line, and you may need assistance navigating claims and cases against the team of lawyers insurers retain to try and pay as little as possible. Read on to learn more about “full coverage” in Florida, what it entails, and why having minimum “full coverage” is likely not enough to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road.
What Full Coverage Insurance Covers
The amount of “full coverage” required in each PIP state differs depending on the state. “Full coverage” as mandated by the state of Florida currently is:
- A $10,000 minimum of Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- A $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)
If you are injured in an accident, the $10,000 of PIP is used to pay 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages. Medical, surgical, funeral, and disability benefits are covered by PDL. Florida is a “no-fault” state, which means that the insurance company pays for these damages up to $10,000 no matter who is deemed at-fault.
What Does No-Fault Insurance Cover?
Along with the primary policyholder, no-fault insurance also covers family members without their own policy. The PIP you purchase will cover family members who were injured while riding in another person’s car as a passenger, and also protects you if you are physically hurt as a pedestrian or cyclist on the street who was hit by another vehicle. The insurance company will pay up to a specific amount for property damage caused by your cars under your PDL coverage, including damage to buildings, trees, mailboxes, and road signs. It will also cover the cost to repair another person’s vehicle, even if you were found to be at-fault for the accident. If the accident resulted in a “total loss” (the cost of repairing the vehicle is higher than the cost of replacing it), PDL will cover some of the replacement cost.
Insurance Limitations Of Full Coverage
While full coverage may sound significant, it’s really a fairly minimal amount of coverage when taking into account how much auto damage and medical care. Even if you weren’t responsible for the accident, you may still have to pay expensive medical or property repair bills that destabilize your financial future. There are also certain limitations of full coverage insurance you should keep in mind:
- It doesn’t pay for repairs to your car after a crash, only damage to the other person’s car under qualifying circumstances
- It won’t replace your car if it is stolen.
- You must give up certain legal rights to receive full payment for your injury, and cannot sue the other driver unless you can prove a permanent or “severe” injury.
Contact Us Today
“Full coverage” is almost always not enough for most Florida drivers to be adequately protected in the case of an accident. Call Pierrot Law to learn more about insurance, liability, and how to get the compensation you deserve today.
