Bodily injury and property damage coverage is the foundation of any auto insurance policy in Florida, including those for drivers in Bradenton, Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, and Sarasota.

Surprisingly, bodily injury liability insurance is not required in the state of Florida for you to drive. Florida is the only state in the country that requires auto insurance but not bodily injury liability. All the other states that require auto insurance (two do not) require bodily injury liability coverage. Not Florida. Florida only requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10k in property damage liability.

Check out our Complete Guide to Florida Auto Insurance.

What is Bodily Injury Liability Coverage in Florida?

Bodily Injury Liability covers any injuries or damages you are held liable for as the result of an at-fault accident. If an accident is your fault and another party ends up in the hospital, you will be held liable for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, attorney’s fees, and more. It is imperative for drivers in Bradenton, Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, and Sarasota to ensure they have enough coverage to protect their assets and future earnings.

What is Property Damage Liability Coverage in Florida?

Property Damage Liability covers the damage you do to other people’s property. It’s important to note that this does not provide coverage for YOUR vehicle. Instead, it covers your liability if you are at fault. You are required to carry at least $10k in property damage liability in Florida.

Here’s an Example of How BIPD Works

Here’s a hypothetical scenario for you:

You are driving down I-75, heading towards Sarasota, and traffic appears to be moving along smoothly (this is already unrealistic!). You decide it might be a good time to check your phone. Oh, what’s this? Someone has shared a post from Carter Family Insurance, and now you want to get an auto insurance quote! Great choice! Just not while you are driving on the interstate! You look up just in time to see me and my Porsche (now this is pure fiction) stopped in front of you.

CRASH!!!

You have destroyed my Porsche… I am mad at you. Luckily, you have good insurance, right? Considering how much drivers in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and Sarasota pay for auto insurance in Florida, you should be well covered, right?

Well… if you only have the state minimum coverage, you have $10,000 in property damage liability. Good luck paying for my Porsche! You know what happens next?

Since you don’t have enough money to pay me for my destroyed Porsche, a judge will most certainly order you to be my butler until your debt is repaid (also fiction… just a Seinfeld reference). But the reality of the situation is worse than being forced into butler-ing.

In summary, you destroyed my Porsche, and the insurance company is only going to pay me $10,000 on your behalf. I don’t care how you come up with the rest of the money, but you will have to pay me. It could come out of your assets, or maybe it will come out of your future income via wage garnishment.

Getting the Right Liability Coverage for Drivers in Bradenton, Sarasota, Parrish, and Lakewood Ranch

It can be tough for drivers in Bradenton, Sarasota, Parrish, and Lakewood Ranch to find the right coverage to protect their assets and future earnings while maintaining affordable premiums in Florida.

We know that the rates are through the roof in Florida, but many times a small adjustment to get the right coverage can be quite affordable. At the very least, we strongly recommend you let us do a free review of your policy to explain each part and how it works. Then, you can make an educated decision from there.