Florida is a no-fault state. Therefore, it follows a “No-Fault” law. However, many people aren’t aware of the ins and outs of the No-Fault law. It is important that you completely understand this process as it is a key step when it comes to purchasing Florida auto insurance.

What is No-Fault Insurance?

No-fault insurance in Florida requires all drivers to purchase auto insurance that includes personal injury protection and property damage liability benefits.  Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will be able to pay (the insured) medical bills, no matter who is at fault for an auto accident. This will only cover up to the amount stated in your policy, while the minimum coverage limit for this is $10,000.

Here is an example of how PIP works. Let’s say that you choose the minimum coverage of $10,000. Expect Personal Injury Protection to pay:

80% of your medical bills

60% towards lost wages, due to not being able to work

100% of replacement costs

Personal Injury Protection also should provide you with a $5,000 in the case of a death. This would be put into action if a driver dies due to an automobile accident. PIP claims MUST be made within 14 days of an accident.

PIP also covers your children, other members in your household, and passengers who do not have any PIP insurance (as long as they aren’t a vehicle owner). If you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle and are covered with your own PIP, you will be covered as well.  In addition, anyone that is riding in your car that has proper PIP protection will receive coverage under their own PIP for any injuries sustained.

Where does No-Fault Insurance fit into my auto insurance policy?

Personal Injury Protection is added to auto insurance policies in Florida. It will kick in and pay the insured persons after an accident has occurred, no matter who caused the accident. You are also required to purchase Property Damage Liability (PDL) […]

Every time you drive your vehicle you are exposing yourself to risks on the road.  There are road hazards, weather hazards and the biggest unknown of all other drivers.  We all do our best to avoid road hazards but there are times when your car is damaged from hazards encountered on the road.   We can avoid driving in weather hazards like hurricanes since we are giving adequate time to prepare and protect our vehicles but what about sudden storms that spring up?  You will want to make sure you are covered in the event that weather hazards cause damage to your vehicle.  The biggest risk of all is from other drivers who are on the road at the same time.  Drivers could be distracted by passengers or talking on cell phones and not paying attention to the road.  Florida auto insurance requirements have been established to deal with all these situations and make sure the driver and vehicle are protected in the event of an accident.

No fault coverage in Florida

The state of FL is considered a no fault state.  No fault means that it does not matter who is a fault in an accident that the provider will pay for the damages up to the policy limits. No fault insurance makes it a lot more difficult to get coverage in FL.

Minimum requirements

There are minimum Florida automotive requirements that every driver and vehicle registered in the State of FL must meet.  The first requirement is that every single vehicle registered in the state must have coverage at all times.  This means that even if you are only a seasonal resident of the state and your vehicle goes into storage for part of the year that you still must maintain current coverage on that vehicle.  There are fines if coverage lapses and these fines go up in increments for each occurrence.  When you purchase a policy in the State of FL the company will notify the state of coverage or if coverage lapses.  The state will then notify the driver that […]

Florida insurance laws are quite different from the requirements in other states, so it is important that you understand exactly what your insurance requirements are before choosing a policy.  The following tips will help you make the best decisions when it comes to finding car insurance in fl.

Required Insurance

Florida requires all drivers who register vehicles with four or more wheels to carry insurance coverage on their vehicle.  Unlike most other states, Florida only requires two types of coverages to legally operate a vehicle.

No Fault or Personal Injury Protection

No Fault, or PIP insurance is required in Florida.  All drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 PIP insurance.  This insurance provides coverage in several different instances, regardless of who is at fault in the accident, including:

• Household members, children, or other passengers that are not covered under another PIP policy, and do not own their own vehicle.
• PIP provides coverage for people who are driving your vehicle with your permission
• Children who are injured while riding the school bus
• If you are riding in another person’s vehicle and are injured
• If you are injured by another vehicle while riding a bicycle or walking

Property Damage Liability or PDL Insurance

PDL is another type of insurance that is required in the state of Florida.  This insurance provides coverage for any damages that you or someone driving your car with your permission may cause to someone else’s property during a crash.  This can include damages to their vehicle, fence, mailbox, or other personal property that might be damaged due to an accident involving your vehicle.  Drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 in coverage for this insurance as well.

Other Coverages

Even though Florida only requires PIP and PDL insurance, many […]

How to Choose the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Florida

Companies in Florida are not all created equal. If you want to find the best auto insurance companies in Florida, you will need to choose with care and this means performing careful comparison-shopping in order to select firms with great business reputations.

In addition to finding the right company, you will need to ensure that you select a great policy that gives you your preferred level of coverage and that this sort of policy won’t be too expensive for your needs.

Once you’ve taken care of a little homework and research online, you should feel more confident as you move forward with the process.

Comparison-shopping Tips for Prospective Buyers

The best companies in Florida have online presences. They operate official websites which typically feature loads of practical information about their policies, services and premiums. By checking out these firms, you’ll be ready to make the most of your next policy. Without performing adequate due diligence before a policy purchase, you may not get the level of coverage that you need, for a price that you can really afford.

The next step is checking out the different policies which are offered at the companies in Florida. Any company that you work with should have a strong ranking at the Better Business Bureau, whether it is a large, mid-sized or small firm. In addition, the company should offer affordable policies, whether they are basic or comprehensive.

However, it’s really pretty easy to compare policies and premiums, as you may find out information about the cost of prospective policies by utilizing online quote calculators or by asking for premium information (via the contact information which is found at the Contact Us pages of  the provider).

Higher Levels of Coverage Offer More Protection

You […]

Florida has some of the highest auto rates in the country, so it can really pay to shop around for the lowest priced policy. Car insurance policy rates vary widely from one company to the next, even when comparing policies in the same city. The low cost auto coverage Florida drivers want can depend on other factors besides the underwriter, so wise consumers should educate themselves on ways to pay as little as possible while still getting the coverage they need.

There Are Many Insurers In Florida Offering Many Different Policies

There are over twenty-five different companies offering coverage in the state of Florida. If you’re looking for low cost auto insurance, Florida is very high on average, but where in Florida you live can make a big difference. For a family of four, with two late model cars, typical premiums can vary from a low of $540 in Gainesville to a high of $1325 in Miami. The average cost for insuring a car in Florida is around $1000 if you average the rates for the thirty largest metropolitan areas.

On average, rates are slightly more expensive for men than for women. While men should expect to pay around ten percent more than women for the same policy, rates can vary between insurers, and some insurers offer lower rates to men for the same policy. Older drivers also can expect around a ten percent premium savings over younger drivers, but that also varies with the insurer chosen. These differences point out the importance of the shopper to be informed about rates in general, and to shop around for the best rates with a variety of insurers to make sure they don’t overpay.

Know What’s Required For Car Insurance Before You Shop Around

It’s important when you’re shopping for auto […]

Getting coverage has never been easier thanks to the internet. In fact, online it takes less than 10 minutes through some our online quote system. This reduces the excuses for drivers in the states to not have legal coverage. Getting Florida online auto insurance quotes is quick, simple, and could ultimately save you a great deal of financial suffering and inconvenience. Accidents without coverage can be overwhelming expensive, including medical bills, vehicle replacement costs, pain and suffering money and other charges.

No. 1: Even if you do Not Have coverage, you are Still Liable for Damages and Injuries

Just because a driver does not have auto insurance does not mean they will not be held responsible for an accident deemed their fault. It certainly does change the dynamic of a lawsuit but it does not excuse liability. However, instead of a payout and a premium spike, drivers are looking at the possibility of thousands and thousands of dollars in bills. In fact, the medical bills alone for an injured driver are staggering. This does not even mention having to replace a totaled vehicle or even repair one that is just battered. In total, either way, uninsured drivers are risking their financial stability to simply avoid a premium.

No. 2: It will make you “High Risk” for the Rest of your Driving Career

Driving without coverage, even for a short period of time, will make a high risk candidate for future providers. It is illegal, so you will be seen as someone who does not set much stock in following the law, and it shows a level of irresponsibility that will allow providers to charge you more down the line when you decide to go back to driving legally. You will be deemed a “high risk” driver and will see all of your premiums shoot drastically upward. Sometimes even almost doubling depending on the company […]

It may be time for you to be switching auto insurance or if you are a new driver to get it for the first time. Like any savvy consumer though you don’t want to take your first option but instead you want to a little shopping and find out what your best deal and what is perhaps the best company for your particular needs. Not everyone is going to be driving a ferrari and it helps to compare auto insurance in Florida since in this state it tends to be a quite a bit more expensive.

One such service that is useful to you when comparing auto rates is something like floridainsurancequotes.net which is going to allow you to compare rates of different companies based on your current automotive condition. When getting a quote it is important to know the make and model of your car as well as the milage on the vehicle. All these things can play a factor in how much you pay and could also help you maybe narrow down a decision on what type of coverage or price you’d be willing to pay. If you are driving a 300,000 mile Kia Sorento you might not wish to opt for the the full coverage but if you are driving something like 1973 Corvette Stingray you may want to consider this. The make, model and condition of the car can determine the value and how much you would maybe want to insure it for.

Another thing that can play a factor in how much you pay for coverage and something to take note in while doing your comparisons is where you live. Where you live can determine how much you pay. Whether you live in the suburbs or a dangerous city or something in between prices can fluctuate. If you hold dual residency in other states than it might be in your best interest to have your vehicle registered in an area where car insurance is cheaper. However, if you do this it will probably be required for you to have your driver’s license registered in the state as well. So if you are a snowbird and come […]

There aren’t too many people out there excited to pay their automobile insurance each and every month.

However, that’s just part of the bitter pill that we have to swallow when we own a vehicle and want to drive it out on the open road. Not only is it a part of being a responsible driver, vehicle owner, and community member, but it’s also a big part of the legal operation of your vehicle.

At the same time, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg when it comes to auto insurance rates in Florida. You should be able to find a number of rock-bottom auto insurance policies that are priced for just about any budget without too terribly much headache or hassle.

But the real question is, can you trust that kind of coverage?

It’s not just about price, but more about value

The first thing that you should be focusing on when looking for the best auto insurance rates in Florida is not who can offer you the lowest possible price out there, but the insurance company that gives you the best possible value for your investment.

And make no mistake about it – paying slightly higher auto insurance rates in Florida and you could get elsewhere (but getting more coverage for that extra bit of money) is most definitely an investment. It’s all about the value of your policy.

After all, at the end of the day, a policy that you pay $25 a month for but have absolutely no coverage or benefits if you get into a bit of a pickle isn’t worth nearly as much as a policy you pay twice as much for but covers you completely and comprehensively from bumper to bumper.

Make sure that you read the fine print

Secondly, you need to make sure that you are reading all of the fine print to your insurance terms of agreement, before you lock into the cheapest auto […]

The Lowest FL Car Insurance Quotes Don’t Cover Commercial Drivers

No one likes paying a lot for car insurance, but insurance is a requirement if you want to operate a vehicle in the state. Smart consumers often get additional riders on their policies to cover them for additional risks and get higher coverage amounts. It’s important to remember that FL car insurance quotes are only good if you accurately describe the type and amount of driving you’re planning on doing. If you misrepresent your driving habits, even unintentionally, you may end up voiding your insurance and incurring big liabilities with no insurance payout to cover them. The most common way to run afoul of car insurance requirements is to use your car for commercial purposes while only carrying a standard driver’s insurance policy.

The Difference Between Personal And Commercial Driving Isn’t Always Clear

It’s an easy mistake to make. There’s a gray area between normal car insurance policies and commercial insurance policies, and it’s possible for a driver to start using their car to do commercial driving without even realizing it. If you are a self-employed person, for instance, there are limits to how many miles a day you can drive your personal vehicle for work before it’s considered a commercial vehicle. If you’re transporting others for work more than occasionally, you might void your policy entirely.

Letting Others Use Your Car For Business Is A No-No

There are many other situations like these that call for discretion when dealing with the type of auto insurance you carry. Let’s say you start making deliveries on a regular basis. That will probably be a red flag for your insurer, so it’s best to check with them before you begin delivering things for a part-time or full-time job and use your personal vehicle to do so. In addition, if you allow others to use your […]

If you’re like many Florida drivers, you’re trying to save money on your car insurance bills. Car insurance rates for Florida drivers are some of the highest in the nation, with an average policy amount of over $3000, while states like Idaho or Maine pay barely a third of that.  While shopping around from one insurance company to another can be time consuming, it’s worth the effort if you find the right policy at the best price. There’s one method of getting the lowest Florida car insurance quotes that many consumers overlook. Try bundling your insurance policies together to save even more.

Bundled Insurance Saves Money Effortlessly

If you’re a homeowner in Florida, and are also in the market for car insurance, consider contacting your insurance agent and asking if there are discounts for bundling two or more policies together. Many insurers in the Sunshine State offer policies for both types of insurance, and most will be pleased to offer a discount in order to get you to sign up for both types.

Florida Doesn’t Lead The Nation, But Still Offers Substantial Discounts

While Florida isn’t at the forefront of discounts for bundled insurance policies, it’s still possible to save a lot of money on your consolidated insurance bill. According to a recent study, residents of Louisiana can save the most on their insurance by bundling home and auto policies, over $500 per year on average, which works out to close to 20 percent. Other states that offer big savings include Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and the District of Columbia. Florida is ranked 50^th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia, but on average you could still save close to $150 per year, which is almost 5 percent. Since these saving require nothing on your part, and they don’t diminish the amount or limits of your coverage in any way, they’re a no-brainer for the […]

Florida is one of the most popular states in the nation for people looking to relocate. With its sunny weather, inexpensive real estate, easygoing people, and vibrant job market, Florida attracts lots of tourists and businesspeople, and many people who visit decide to make the Sunshine State their home permanently. Florida is famous as a place for retirees to call home as well, and that can lead to culture shock for many people that find themselves unfamiliar with the laws and customs of Florida after living for many years elsewhere. Automobile insurance in Florida is one of the things that are done differently than in many other states, so it’s important for new residents and retirees to understand the differences between automobile insurance where they’re coming from and in Florida.

Florida Is A No-Fault State

Florida is a so-called no-fault state. There are only eleven other states that have no-fault laws: Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Hawaii,  and Utah.

Drivers from the other 38 states may not be familiar with no-fault insurance. Florida no-fault insurance means that if you’re into an accident, the policy will pay for the medical bills up to the policy’s limits, no matter who actually caused the accident. The minimum limits for this entry-level Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, are $10,000. Unlike many other states, this PIP not only covers members of your household that are riding in the car with you, it covers your children when they are riding on a school bus, and you while you’re riding a bicycle or even walking on a sidewalk. Your PIP also covers you when you’re riding in someone else’s vehicle.

In addition to no-fault Personal Injury Protection, drivers must carry an […]

How do you know if you need to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy?  There are some businesses that require you to have a commercial policy and some that you can still get by with just your personal coverage.  If you work as a self employed business person,  only work part time, don’t drive over 100 miles per day and don’t use your vehicle to transport others, you may be covered by your personal coverage.  These jobs may include social workers, various party plan independent consultants, home health care workers, etc.

Your personal policy will not cover your vehicle when you start using it solely for business purposes like making deliveries, allowing other drivers to use your vehicle for business reasons, transporting others for business purposes or using it for other business related uses.  That’s when you need to get commercial auto that will allow for higher liability coverage for you and your employees, and additional vehicles.

When you get a commercial auto policy you will have greater liability coverage as well as additional protections not covered by a personal policy.  Commercial coverage will cover you and any employees you may have when driving other vehicles, even if they aren’t owned by your company.  It can also have options for covering additional items that may be lost or destroyed in an accident as long as they are business related, like tools, for instance.

Benefits of Florida Commercial Auto Insurance

A commercial policy protects your business in several ways.  If you have employees driving business vehicles, you are liable for any accidents they cause or are involved in.  You will be responsible for paying their medical bills, cover their lost wages and any other expenses related to the accident.  If you don’t have coverage, your […]

The Weight

Here comes a million dollar question for you. What is the best auto insurance in Florida? Before we go there, let’s step back for a moment to gather some important information that may help determine your choice.

First, best is a relative term. Every Florida insurer will claim to be the best, if you never need it. The focus of any answer will depend on you and your particular needs.  If you can afford top-of-the-line coverage there is a company or even companies that will cater to your specific needs. On the other hand, if you are someone with an 8 to 5 job, can’t afford the very best in auto insurance, and have a pretty decent driving record you might find yourself better served by a different company than our first example.

Going to the other end of the scale, if you need coverage, just graduated high school, are a male who has never had coverage before your needs are going to be entirely different as well. What follows is a simple process you can use to answer this question for yourself.

Prepare yourself: This means doing some online research into what Florida requires in coverage from you, which firms offer the type of coverage you need, and of course your budget.

Apply the information: Information is only as valuable as how you use it. If you have done your research you should have a pretty good idea of what kind of coverage you should have and who provides that kind of coverage

Get a quote: Once you have narrowed your choices down, fill out our form and get a free quote. This is not only a simple courtesy, but as your policy needs changed it is important to have an agent that keeps you in the loop. In many instances it is your agent that becomes your advocate in case of an accident.

Decision […]

When it comes to automotive coverage, there will always be a lot of questions to answer and concerns to address (which must be taken care of on an individual basis, of course).  Likewise, each state has its own unique rules, regulations and considerations to take note of before actually purchasing a policy.   The same exact sentiment should also apply to what kinds of policy specifics each individual person (or their whole family will) ultimately need as well.  In the state of Florida, there are obviously lots of great options for the discount seeker, including a number of companies that specialize in catering directly to the budget-minded.

Just about everyone owns a car these days or is working to buy one. Without transportation, your options in life are very limited. However, you need more than just a car and gas to get where you’re going in Florida. While having coverage for your vehicle is always a good idea, in Florida it’s mandatory. If you get behind the wheel of your car without car insurance, you’re violating the wall and a mere speeding ticket can quickly turn into a much, much bigger problem. That being said, there are countless auto insurance companies in Florida to choose from, so consider the following advice to make sure you pick the right one.