Sally, Paul, and the Florida Auto Insurance Requirements
Sally, Paul, and the Florida Auto Insurance Requirements.
By Francis William.
The state of Florida is unique in so many ways, from the everglades that are home to a huge variety of animal species, to the huge diversity in their population, to their auto insurance requirements. While possibly not as exciting to discuss as the first two, Florida auto insurance requirements are a bit unique, in that the laws governing them attempt to make sure that all drivers carry auto insurance.
The two laws governing auto insurance requirements are the financial responsibility law, and the no-fault law. Both address a different area of the auto insurance spectrum, while working together to protect Florida’s motorists.
The minimum coverage required in Florida, as dictated by the financial responsibility law, are $10,000 in property damage liability, and $10,000 in personal injury protection. This means that in the event of an accident, both personal injuries and vehicular damage would be covered. Unlike some other state, Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability, which can be explained by the fact that Florida follows a no-fault system.
A no-fault system means that when a motorist is involved in an auto accident, his or her auto insurance company will pay for injury claims, regardless of who was at fault. So if Sally and Paul got into an auto accident, and Paul was at fault, Sally’s Florida auto insurance would still pay for her injury claims, even though Paul was at fault.
There are a number of reasons why a no-fault system is desirable. First, it protects drivers against uninsured motorists. If Paul and Sally lived in a state without a no-fault system, and Paul wasn’t insured, Sally’s car insurance company might refuse to pay for her injury claims, stating that it was Paul’s fault, and his insurance company should pay for it. But in Florida, Sally’s auto insurance company would pay for her injury claims, regardless of whether or not Paul is insured.
A second reason no-fault systems are desirable is because they encourage drivers to follow the auto insurance laws. Again, if Paul and Sally lived in a state without a no-fault system, either one might be tempted to let their coverage lapse. They might think to themselves “I’m a safe driver, and I won’t ever get in a wreck. And if I do, it will be the other person’s fault, and he or she will have to pay for the damages”. By following a no-fault system, drivers have even more incentive to carry the proper Florida auto insurance required by law.
It’s easy to see how the two laws work together to encourage drivers to carry auto insurance. Smart Florida drivers understand these laws, and follow them.
franciswilliam@floridaautoinsurancequotes247.com
