The law in Florida requires that every driver carries insurance coverage. You have to provide proof of insurance when you register your vehicle and anytime a police officer pulls you over for a traffic stop. Driving around without insurance could mean fines and other penalties, but some people do it anyway.
Not only do these uninsured drivers risk running afoul of the law if they get pulled over by a police officer, but they have no protection if they cause a car crash. Uninsured drivers put not only themselves but everybody else on the roads at risk.
What are the chances that you might get hurt in a crash caused by a driver without insurance in Florida?
Uninsured drivers are everywhere in Florida
Given that insurance costs are so high in Florida, it likely won’t surprise you to learn that Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. The Sunshine State ranks sixth in the nation for having the most uninsured drivers, at least based on data from 2019. Roughly 20.4% of Florida drivers do not have coverage on their vehicles.
When you consider the fact that roughly one in five drivers doesn’t have insurance, the risk of a crash involving one of these drivers is a serious concern. What protects you after a crash with an uninsured driver?
Your policy offers some protection
The good news for drivers in Florida in a crash with an uninsured driver is that everyone in Florida currently has to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. You should have at least $10,000 in this no-fault coverage to pay for your medical costs and any costs incurred by the passengers in your vehicle.
You can count on your PIP coverage after a crash. If you paid extra for more PIP or if you added uninsured motorist protection to your policy, your coverage can help you pay for your crash expenses and medical costs.
Additionally, Florida state law does allow those hurt by others to potentially bring a civil claim against the person responsible for their injuries or property damage losses. Identifying and protecting yourself against known risk factors, like uninsured drivers, can help better protect you from the effects of major car crashes in Florida.