The best time to start preparing for an accident is long before one ever happens. However, few people cover more than the basics when it comes to accident insurance. Because of this, states create their own laws about what level of coverage drivers require.
NerdWallet confirms that Florida is one of several no-fault insurance states, and it requires personal injury protection as part of auto insurance policies. In the event of an accident, drivers have the option to make claims on their own policies for some qualifying expenses.
Coverage requirements
WalletHub provides additional details by specifying Florida’s $10,000 minimum coverage requirement. This figure is significantly less than several other states. It might allow Florida drivers to save a few dollars compared to other drivers in no-fault states with PIP requirements.
Coverage benefits
Personal injury protection offers key benefits that make it attractive even in tort states that do not have a PIP requirement. Here are some of those benefits:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Child care expenses
- Household services
- Survivors’ loss
- Funeral expenses
Reasons for PIP
There are two main ways states handle personal injury claims from car accidents. One focuses on tort law, which allows injured parties to sue responsible parties with few or no restrictions. In Florida and other no-fault states, which party causes the accident becomes less relevant.
Drivers relinquish the right to sue in exchange for only needing to deal with their own insurance company for PIP benefits. However, should their injuries exceed their PIP coverage or prove severe, they might have the opportunity to pursue damages.
A no-fault approach to car crashes has its pros and cons. In Florida, it at least means that all insured drivers receive some medical benefits after a crash.