Florida Car Insurance Requirements

Florida car insurance requirements are meant to ensure that drivers have enough coverage to pay for medical care and property damage after a car accident.

If you own and drive a vehicle in Florida, you are legally required to have a car insurance policy with at least $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection coverage and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability coverage.

Driving without insurance can result in fines of up to $1,000 and driver’s license suspension. Repeat offenders may be sentenced to up to a year of jail time.

And, if you get into a car accident while uninsured, you may be held liable and forced to pay out-of-pocket for the medical bills and property damage of everyone who was hurt in the crash.

Florida Car Insurance Requirements

In Florida, the minimum insurance requirements for vehicles are:

• $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage
• $10,000 in Property Damage Liability coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to your injuries after an accident, regardless of which driver was at fault. PIP also covers any passengers who were in your vehicle and drivers that you let borrow your car.

Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage pays for damage you cause to other people’s property if you are found at fault for an accident. PDL insurance covers the cost to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle and any other property that was damaged.

Is Car Insurance Required in Florida if You Don’t Own a Vehicle?

No, you are not legally required to carry car insurance in Florida if you don’t own a vehicle. The insurance requirements only apply if you have a vehicle registered in your name that you drive on public roads.

Do You Need Auto Insurance to Drive Someone Else’s Car?

No, you are not legally required to have your own car insurance policy to drive someone else’s car, as long as the owner has insurance on the vehicle.

If you get into an accident while driving someone else’s car, you should be covered under their insurance policy as long as you have the owner’s permission to drive their vehicle.

However, the owner’s auto insurance policy may have limitations or exclusions for non-listed drivers that limit your coverage. So, driving uninsured carries some risk that you may not be fully covered in an accident when borrowing the car.

If you plan to regularly drive someone else’s vehicle, consider asking the owner to add you to their insurance policy so you are fully protected in case of an accident.

You can also purchase a non-owner’s insurance policy to have liability coverage when you drive vehicles that you don’t own.

Drivers Convicted of DUI Must Carry Bodily Injury Coverage

Any person convicted of driving under the influence in Florida is required to carry bodily injury liability insurance for 3 years after the conviction.

Specifically, anyone who is found guilty of DUI in Florida must obtain and maintain an insurance policy with:

• $100,000 coverage for bodily injury or death of one person
• $300,000 coverage for bodily injury or death of two or more persons

Failure to meet these requirements during the 3-year period can result in driver’s license suspension.

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage pays for injuries a driver causes to other people in an accident.

Florida requires people convicted of DUI to carry bodily injury insurance because they have demonstrated a reckless disregard for public safety by driving under the influence.

Mandating higher bodily injury liability coverage also helps ensure that if they cause injuries or deaths through impaired driving, there are sufficient insurance funds available to compensate victims.

Legal Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

First Offense:

• Fines of $150 to $500
• Suspension of vehicle registration and driver’s license for up to 1 year

Second Offense within 3 Years:

• Fines of $500 to $1,000
• Mandatory 3-year suspension of vehicle registration and driver’s license

Subsequent Offenses:

• Considered a misdemeanor crime
• Fines of up to $1,000
• Possible jail time of up to 1 year

Florida has a no-fault insurance system, so driving uninsured is taken very seriously. Police officers often ask for proof of insurance during traffic stops and they can easily verify whether your insurance policy is active.

By following Florida’s car insurance requirements, you help protect yourself and others on the road if a crash takes place.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage

While the minimum requirements provide a basic level of protection, adding additional coverage to your policy can give you more financial security. Consider these optional coverages:

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) is not mandatory for all drivers, but it is strongly recommended. BIL covers injuries you cause to others in an accident. Without this coverage, you could be personally liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages if you are at fault.

Collision Coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is especially valuable if you have a newer or more expensive car.

Comprehensive Coverage protects your vehicle against non-collision-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. This coverage can be crucial if you live in areas prone to severe weather.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance. This coverage can help pay for medical bills and property damage if the other driver is unable to cover these costs.

More Resources About Florida Car Insurance Law

Auto Insurance Consumer Guide – Florida Bar

Florida Statutes § 324.021 – Financial Responsibility Law