do I have to have uninsured motorist insurance in Florida?

Answer 1

Florida insurance adjuster here.

The answer is no.

The state of Florida does not require you to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

If you reject the coverage, your insurance agent will ask you to sign a UM rejection form.

The only coverages required in Florida are Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage liability (PD).

More below from the Florida Dept of Hwy Safety and Motor Vehicles:

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/frfaqgen.html


"What type of insurance is required to purchase and maintain a Florida tag and registration?"

"Florida's minimum coverage is $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) as long as you have a valid Florida tag, even if the vehicle is in another state or inoperative. There are no exemptions in the law. However, if you have been involved in a crash, or been convicted of certain offenses, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage (BIL)."

Answer 2

Uninsured motorist coverage in Florida covers all medicals bills you receive in an accident that arent covered by PIP in a not-at-fault accident in which the other driver leaves the scene or doesnt have insurance.

It's a good idea to have because say the at fault parties doesnt have insurance or is unknown.. you can still collect money for your injuries like you would if they did (which means you can collect a settlement if you are permantly injured)

worse case scenario if you dont have it.. you get hit by someone... break a leg or something.... PIP on your policy only covers 80% and only up to 10,000.. and your stuck with HUGE out of pockets.

Answer 3

If it's mandatory your insurance company will let you know. It is mandatory in some states, though I don't know about FL.

It's normally very cheap and the protection if provides is obvious -- if you are hit by an uninsured driver your insurance company will take care of you and go after the uninsured driver themselves. It also protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver. I wouldn't drive without it myself.