Car Insurance FAQ

Every driver needs at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). Florida is a no-fault state, so your own PIP coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. Bodily injury liability isn’t mandatory for basic registration, though it may be required after certain incidents.

PIP covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages after an accident, up to your $10,000 policy limit, regardless of fault. There’s a catch, though. To access the full $10,000, you must see a doctor within 14 days and receive a diagnosis of an emergency medical condition. Without that diagnosis, your benefit is capped at $2,500.

Report your car accident soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours. Most policies have a prompt-notification clause, and sitting on it can give the insurer a reason to push back on your claim or deny coverage outright. Also, and this is important, report the accident to your insurer, but don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first.

Straightforward claims with clear liability and minor damage can close in a few weeks. Once injuries, disputed fault, or significant property damage enter the picture, expect several months to a year or more. Insurers sometimes drag their feet, hoping you’ll accept a lower offer out of frustration. If the company is acting in bad faith, you may have additional legal options.

Yes. If the at-fault driver’s policy isn’t enough to cover your losses, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them directly. You can also tap your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you carry it.

Florida’s no-fault system lets you step outside PIP and sue the at-fault driver when your injuries cross the threshold in Florida Statute § 627.737. That means a significant and permanent loss of a bodily function, a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. Once you meet that standard, you can pursue full damages, including pain and suffering.

If the other driver was at fault, their insurer typically covers a rental while your car is being repaired or until a total-loss settlement is reached, usually within 30 days. They’ll often push to cut it short. Keep records of repair timelines and all communications with the insurance company to protect yourself if they try to pull the rental early.