Any individual who owns a vehicle that is self propelled and has four or more wheels must maintain proper coverage at all times if they wish to register and maintain registration for as long they have a valid Florida license plate. This also applies to part time and seasonal residents who reside in the state for only a certain period of time of the year. For example, if an individual utilizes Florida’s roadways for more than 90 days in a calendar year they must purchase a policy complying with the state’s laws and the 90 days do not have to be consecutive.

All polices issued must be purchased from a Florida auto insurance company that is licensed in the state; if a motorist wishes to purchase coverage from a company’s representative such as an agent than this person must be licensed by the state as well. Before taking out a policy from an insurer or paying an agent for coverage it may be a good idea to contact the state department of insurance to ensure that this agent’s licensing status is in order and that the carrier they are representing is authorized to issue policies in FL.

Mandatory FL car insurance

The minimum coverage that can be purchased in Florida is $10,000 in property damage liability and $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP), higher limits can be purchased and some motorists are required to carry more which will be explained. Property damage liability will pay for damage that the policyholder causes to another person’s property with their automobile up to the limit stated on the policy. This will cover items such as another vehicle, a fence, telephone pole or building. Personal injury protection will pay for injuries sustained by the insured, passengers and family members resulting from a traffic accident regardless of fault up to the auto insurance policy limit; this will also pay for injuries suffered as a pedestrian or bicyclist if struck by an automobile.

State law may require that certain drivers carry limits that exceed the minimums stated above. Motorists who are convicted of certain traffic violations or have been in an accident while uninsured may need to carry $10,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $20,000 per accident in addition to the $10,000 limit of property damage liability. According to the Florida Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance those who have been convicted or plead no contest to driving under the influence have to can much more coverage; these individuals must carry liability with limits of $100,000 for bodily injury to one person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $50,000  for property damage. Having to carry more coverage means higher rates in addition to surcharges that are applied by insurers for the violation; it may simply be easier to stay insured and refrain from driving under the influence to avoid these additional expenses.