If you’re injured in an auto accident caused by another driver, you might assume their insurance will cover your medical bills and losses. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, especially in Florida. This is why many drivers choose to carry uninsured motorist coverage to protect themselves and their passengers from the surprising number of drivers that either carry no insurance or the bare minimum coverage required by law, which by the way, does not include Bodily Injury (BI) coverage. Without BI, there’s no protection for the people the driver harms, even if they’re at fault.
According to the Insurance Research Council, in 2023, 1 in 7 drivers in the United States had absolutely no auto insurance. And in Florida, 1 in 4 drivers were in violation of Florida law by driving without auto insurance, and many of the drivers that do have auto insurance, only carry Florida’s state required minimum making them underinsured. In other words the state required minimum coverage in many cases is not enough coverage to pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, or long-term care these underinsured at-fault drivers caused. This is why Uninsured Motorist Coverage, (UM) is one of the most critical protections you can add to your auto insurance policy.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is an optional form of protection that pays you when the at-fault driver either has no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover your damages. It can be used when:
- The at-fault driver has no liability insurance.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance is too low to cover all your expenses.
- You’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
This coverage applies to you, your passengers, and even household members under your policy and can include compensation for:
- Emergency and long-term medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Split Limits: What Your Coverage Numbers Mean
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is typically sold in split limits. For example, a policy showing $15,000/$30,000 means:
- Up to $15,000 per person for bodily injury or death.
- A maximum of $30,000 per accident, regardless of the number of people injured.
Some drivers opt for stacked UM coverage, which allows you to multiply your limits by the number of vehicles on your policy for even greater protection.
Why It Matters in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state, but the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage required under state law only allows for minimal coverage, meaning state required minimum coverage only pays up to $10,000 in injury and loss coverage, and only for 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages. Serious injuries often exceed this limit quickly. And since Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry Bodily Injury coverage, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for your losses unless you have Uninsured Motorist Coverage in place.
Beware of “Discount” Insurance Policies
Some low-cost insurance providers offer attractive premiums by leaving out essential coverage like UM. Always review your Declarations Page the portion of your insurance policy that outlines exactly what your policy includes and covers. If you’re unsure about your current level of protection, we encourage you to let us help.
Get Free Policy Review from McGRATH GIBSON LAW
Not sure if you have Uninsured Motorist Coverage or if you have enough UM coverage? Our personal injury attorneys have represented hundreds of vehicle accident victims over the years and know first hand how often at-fault drivers are uninsured and under insured, and we are happy to help you make sure you have the coverage you need to assure that you and your family are properly protected. We offer free courtesy insurance policy evaluations. Call us today at (904) 358-3300 and let us review your auto policy with you.
