The state of Florida is one of the nation’s leading tourists spots, from the fabulous beach resorts to the many attractions such as Disney World.  Because of the wonderful sights and sounds that Florida has to offer, many drivers from out of state also frequent the highways and cause traffic congestion.

Although the out of town driver cannot be blamed exclusively as Floridians, they also play a part in the traffic accidents that occur on the Florida roads, the combination of the two different types of drivers make Florida a state that is known to have a high rate of traffic related accidents.  Since auto insurance companies must pay out more in claims, it stands to reason that Florida auto insurance will be more expensive that other states as well.

Though Florida auto insurance rates had dropped slightly in 2007 to approximately 2,000 on average, annually, the national average was lower by at least one hundred dollars.  In the first quarter of 2008, Florida auto insurance rates increased again by 6.6%. Since this is an average, drivers will pay higher or lower depending upon their own driver history, but either way it is essential that all Florida drivers carry the basic protection.

Florida Auto Insurance Requirements

Florida is a no fault insurance state, that means that regardless of who is at fault in a car accident the auto insurance companies will pay the claim.  In many ways this is a blessing as Florida drivers who caused an accident can rest assured that they would be protected against huge claims instigated by the other driver’s insurance company.

• Florida drivers must also carry a minimum of $10,000 insurance at all times.  The insurance that they carry which is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will also include coverage for loss salary, medical, and death expenses.  Imagine a driver breaking the law by not carrying any insurance and then imagine this driver without the means to pay for the damages he caused in an accident?  That very foolish individual may be paying the rest of his/her life to reimburse the injured party as determined by a lawsuit.

• Just because basic coverage is required, the no fault insurance does not cover every single possibility.  It is highly recommended that Floridians carry additional coverage to offset other expenses as they arise.  Furthermore the cost of the property damage could be extensive and beyond what no fault insurance will disburse should the accident be determined to be the fault of the person with minimal coverage. Again, this could lead into another lawsuit that would favor the plaintiff.

• Hence, Floridians are required by state law to carry bodily injury insurance for the amount of $10,000 for a single person with a ceiling of 20,000 in the event that more than one person was injured in the other vehicle. On top of that there is a requirement for $10,000 property insurance to cover any damage to the other car, or damage to state or personal property in the case of a collision.

It is also important to remember that in an accident, even when the person who is at fault is covered for damages resulting in injury to the other driver and damages to the other vehicle, one sided coverage does not provide the individual at fault with auto insurance coverage if he or she also sustains personal injury or property damage.  If the at fault party is injured, the car totaled, or sustains major damage, these costs could become very expensive.  It is recommended that Floridian drivers protect themselves with Comprehensive and Collision insurance.  This insurance will also cover costs in the event that their vehicles were damaged due to a natural disaster or were damaged by the state’s wildlife.

Another point to remember is that tourists from other states may not have to carry extensive insurance and that Floridians would be wise to carry what is called Uninsured/Underinsured motorist protection just to make sure they do not have massive out of pocket payments to make.  It is also useful to have this auto insurance coverage in the case of hit and run collisions.