Florida law requires that auto insurance policies include Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) at limits equal to the Bodily Injury Liability Limits or Combined Single Limit for Liability in your policy unless you select a lower limit offered by the Company, or reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage entirely. This rejection must be made in writing in order Learn More “Am I Required to Have a Signed UM Rejection?”
It is not required in Florida, Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance pays if you, your passengers or family members are hit by someone who is “at fault” and does not have insurance, or has insufficient liability insurance to cover the total damages sustained by you. This applies whether you are riding in your car, riding in Learn More “Do I Need UM Motorist Coverage?”
The other driver’s insurance company will cover through property damage liability the cost of repairs or value of your car if it is declared a total loss up to the coverage limit. Florida requires a minimum of $10,000.00 for property damage liability. Your insurance company may also cover your property damage excluding your deductible if Learn More “Whose Insurance Will Cover My Property Damage?”
Personal injury protection insurance covers you regardless of whether you cause an accident (are “at-fault”) – up to $10,000 minus your deductible amount. PIP is designed to reduce the necessity of suing for reimbursement of medical and related bills from auto accidents. To be entitled to PIP benefits, you must receive initial services and care Learn More “Why is PIP Insurance so Important?”
As a general rule, you should not give a recorded statement to an insurance company concerning a motor vehicle accident without the advice of an attorney. Insurance companies can use this statement against you to deny your claim. They can ask questions worded in such a way that they trap or trick you into responses Learn More “I Was Asked for a Recorded Statement. Should I Give it?”
You should never sign a release without first consulting with a lawyer. Before signing a release, you have the opportunity to discuss it with a lawyer to make sure that your interests are protected, it’s your right. Insurance companies approach injured persons immediately and offer a quick settlement. However, that settlement doesn’t consider the injured Learn More “I Was Asked to Sign a Bodily Injury Release. Should I sign?”
Yes you may but your vehicle will have a salvage title. In Florida, once an insurance company determines that your car is a total loss, you have the option to either transfer title of the vehicle to the auto insurance company or have repairs performed to the vehicle and obtain a salvage title from the Learn More “Can I Keep My Car if the Insurance Company Declares it a Total Loss?”
GAP insurance is not required in Florida but it may be a condition to financing or leasing an auto. GAP may be purchased from the dealer, the finance company or auto insurance company. Gap insurance helps pay off your auto loan if your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more than the car’s Learn More “What is GAP Insurance and Do I need It?”
A vehicle is a total loss (or totaled) if any of the following apply: The vehicle cannot be safely repaired Repairs would cost more than the vehicle’s estimated value The damage meets your state’s total loss guidelines, florida is 80% A car is deemed a total loss under Florida law when the cost to repair Learn More “What Happens When My Car is a Total Loss?”
Most personal injury settlements are not taxable: Compensation for physical injury, emotional distress due to physical injury, medical expenses, and lost wages due to physical injury are not taxable. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. For a free case evaluation, call the Miami Legal Firm at 305-265-2265