Penalties can vary in the event you are caught without carrying a valid auto insurance policy. Expect one or more of the following: pay fines, have your license and registration suspended, vehicle impoundment or worst case face jail time. The best way to avoid a penalty is to carry the minimum state requirements for auto insurance.
The State of Florida requires drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection, also known as PIP, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability, commonly known as PDL coverage. PIP will take care of your medical expenses and lost wages, while PDL covers damage to other people’s property in the event you cause the accident.
These minimums are the very least a Florida vehicle owner is required to carry on their vehicle, however, they typically are not enough in most accidents. We highly recommend vehicle owners come talk with us for coverage recommendations. Insurance is extremely important, especially when you compare to possible out of pocket costs in the event you are in an accident and don’t have enough insurance coverage.
If you are involved in an auto accident and physically able, the first step would be to call 911. The next step would be to get a photo or write down the tag information for the other vehicle(s) involved in the event somebody tries to leave the scene of the accident. If the drivers of the other vehicle(s) involved are capable of communicating with you, it’s best to exchange insurance information and get the name of their insurance agency and policy number. Next, take as many photos as possible of the accident aftermath, video works too. Once a police officer arrives be sure to give your report of what happened, then get a copy of their report or the case number so you have a reference to provide the insurance company.
If you feel you need to be seen by a medical professional or your passengers need to be seen, don’t delay. Go get seen. When you are able, report to your insurance company the particulars of the accident and be prepared to send your photos and videos if you have them.
Accidents whether large or small can be a nerve-wracking experience. Your insurance selections shouldn’t be. We encourage vehicle owners to give us a call (352-357-1994) at any time for a free policy review. Once we talk, you will have a clear understanding of your auto policy coverage.
Do I need to keep a policy on a vehicle that I drive only during certain parts of the year?
The state of Florida requires continuous coverage on vehicles even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. If you have a vehicle that you drive only during certain times of the year, you still need to keep an active insurance policy on it. In the event you are selling your vehicle, the State of Florida recommends you complete your bill of sale, then surrender your tag to a tag agency, and then cancel your auto insurance on the vehicle. Cancelling your auto insurance before the sale is complete and while the vehicle is still in your name could open you up to risk in the event the vehicle is involved in an accident.
If you are reviewing your auto insurance policy and looking to compare costs, maybe adding an additional vehicle or additional driver, we invite you to call us. We are conveniently located at 4280 County Road 19A, Suite 9 in Mt. Dora, Florida 32757. Our agents are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm.
We look forward to helping you with your auto insurance needs. If you need assistance with homeowners insurance, mobile home insurance, boat insurance, renters insurance or an umbrella insurance policy we can assist with these as well.