Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in the event that you are hit by someone who does not have enough insurance or none at all. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM) is very important in Florida since over 20% of our drivers are uninsured.

The high rate of uninsured motorists on Florida roadways is just one of several reasons Florida auto insurance is so expensive. Florida car insurance is severely expensive and the state doesn’t require drivers to carry bodily injury coverage like most sane states in the country.

Check out our Complete Guide to Florida Auto Insurance.

How Uninsured Motorist Works in Florida

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage can’t exceed your Bodily Injury liability limits. So, if your BIPD is 100/300/100* then your UM/UIM coverage can’t be more than 100/300.

*If you are unsure as to what the number 100/300/100 means, we have a guide to understanding the BIPD numbers on your auto policy for you!

Florida is 1 of 3 States in Which You Don’t Need Bodily Injury Liability Insurance to Drive

Bodily injury coverage is required by nearly every state in the country to satisfy state minimum liability. Only two states (New Hampshire and Virginia) do not require auto insurance to drive. Of the rest of the states, Florida is the only one that does not mandate bodily injury. Florida’s minimum required coverage is limited to property damage liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

Florida Auto Insurance – A Recipe For Disaster

The high cost of insurance and the ability to decline liability coverage is a perfect recipe for disaster. If you have to have PIP to drive in Florida and the costs are outrageous, it’s very tempting to decline all the coverages the state does not require you to carry.

Many Florida Drivers Decline UM/UIM to Save Money

Many people take advantage of the opportunity to decline coverages because Florida auto insurance is insanely expensive!

When large amounts of people are driving around without liability insurance, this puts you at greater risk of being hit by an uninsured driver or an insufficiently insured driver.

Like many people choose to decline liability coverage, if you have chosen to decline uninsured motorist coverage, you put yourself at risk.

Also Read: What if I Reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida?

Uninsured Motorist Gives You Peace of Mind in Florida

If someone does not have insurance (or they do not have enough insurance at all) and they hit your car, the uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) portion of your policy would provide you with coverage up to your policy limits to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.

If you want to increase your protection against all of those uninsured drivers in Florida, consider stacking your UM/UIM limits.

Remember, this is your coverage and your company is legally required to act in good faith to compensate you for the damages done by another uninsured party.

UM/UIM Covers You in Other Cars and Even as a Pedestrian

Uninsured motorists covers you and any other named insureds on your policy, your passengers, and resident relatives. Uninsured motorist coverage extends to when you or an insured is a passenger in another person’s vehicle or even if you are a pedestrian!

Uninsured Motorist is Very Important for Drivers in Bradenton and Sarasota

The point is, if you are in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, then rest assured you are surrounded by a lot of underinsured or uninsured drivers. In fact, over 20% of Florida drivers are without liability insurance.

Protect yourself, your family, your assets, and your income by talking with Seth at Carter Family Insurance for a free Florida auto insurance review. We’ll go through each section of your policy and explain your options so you can make the right decision for you.