In Florida, as discussed on previous blogs, the only required coverages are Personal Injury Protection (which pays up to $10,000.00 towards your hospital and medical bills in an accident, regardless of fault) and Property Damage coverage, which pays to fix or pay for the other person’s car up to $10,000.00 when you are at fault. Thus, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are elective coverages which can be declined. Collision coverage generally pays to fix or total your car out in the event of any accident where there is a collision involving the vehicle, although there usually is some form of deductible – $250.00, $500.00 or $1,000.00 most commonly. Comprehensive coverage generally pays for your car in the event of natural disaster (hurricanes, etc.), vandalism, and other situations not covered by the collision coverage. The exact coverage must be read in the terms of the insurance policy.
There are many reasons why you should have collision and comprehensive coverage in Florida. First, if you have a loan against the vehicle, then the lender commonly will require this coverage to protect them. Second, if you own the car yourself, you likely want this coverage because if you get into an accident or if someone damages your car, then you will be protected against the loss. Third, if you have a more expensive car, even if you are not at fault, you may get into an accident with someone who is driving with NO insurance or without enough insurance. If the other car is at fault and you have $20,000.00 of damage to your car but the other car has the minimum $10,000.00 coverage, then there will not be enough insurance to fix your car, unless you have the collision coverage.
If you have been in a car accident where you believe the other car was at fault, please call Drucker Law Offices for a free consultation at 561-483-9199 (Boca Raton Main office) or 954-755-2120 (Coral Springs satellite office), 561-967-3840 (Lake Worth satellite office) or 305-981-1561 (Miami satellite office). Generally, the law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means that fees are only charged if the law firm recovers money for you.
Of course, every case is different and unique and has to be judged based on the specific facts. The advice in this personal injury blog is intended to be general in nature and should not to be construed as specific advice for your case, as a slight difference in the facts could ultimately change the result. Also, this blog is based on Florida law and the laws of any other states or another country could vary significantly from Florida.
