From the Personal Injury Lawyers at The Perazzo Law Firm – Miami, FL
As experienced Miami car accident lawyers, we know one truth all too well: most drivers only realize the importance of their insurance coverage after an accident happens.
Florida law requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage (PD) for all registered vehicle owners—but in many cases, those two policies aren’t enough to cover serious injuries or losses. That’s why the team at The Perazzo Law Firm urges drivers to understand the full range of insurance options available.
Here are the Top 10 Insurance Policies we recommend for Florida drivers, especially in Miami-Dade and Broward.
1. Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
Florida ranks among the top states for uninsured drivers. If you’re hit by someone with little or no coverage, UM/UIM protects you and your family. It covers pain and suffering, lost wages, and damages beyond what PIP pays.
✅ STACKED vs. UNSTACKED:
- Stacked UM applies to all vehicles in your policy and offers broader protection, even if you’re riding in someone else’s car.
- Unstacked UM is tied to one specific vehicle.
🛑 Without UM, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for injuries caused by another driver’s negligence.
2. Bodily Injury Liability (BI)
While not required by Florida law, BI is essential. It protects you if you’re at fault in a crash that injures others. BI helps cover the other party’s medical bills, lost wages, and legal fees—so your assets aren’t on the line.
🧾 Most BI policies are listed as “$100K/$300K,” meaning $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
3. Umbrella Insurance Policy
Think of this as added protection for your home, income, and future. Umbrella insurance kicks in when other policies reach their limits. It’s ideal for drivers with significant assets who want to shield themselves from high-value lawsuits.
4. Collision Insurance
Collision covers your own vehicle if you crash into a tree, pole, wall—or another car. It’s especially useful if the other driver is uninsured, underinsured, or disputes fault.
📌 Most lenders require this coverage for financed or leased vehicles.
5. Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) Insurance
GAP bridges the difference between what your car is worth and what you still owe on a loan or lease. Since new cars depreciate quickly, GAP is essential if your vehicle is totaled shortly after purchase.
6. Comprehensive Insurance
Covers damage from non-collision events like hurricanes, floods, theft, vandalism, or falling objects. Florida weather can be unpredictable—Comprehensive coverage helps protect your car even when it’s parked.
7. Car Rental Coverage
If your car is being repaired after an accident, this policy pays for a rental. It’s an affordable add-on that keeps you mobile while your claim is being processed.
8. Medical Payments (MedPay)
MedPay supplements PIP and covers medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault. It pays for ER visits, imaging, surgery, and rehab up to your policy limits.
💡 It does not replace health insurance but helps avoid out-of-pocket bills.
9. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Mandatory in Florida, PIP covers up to $10,000 in medical costs or lost wages, no matter who caused the crash. However, PIP alone often isn’t enough in serious accidents—which is why we recommend pairing it with UM and BI.
10. Property Damage Liability (PD)
Also mandatory, PD covers damage you cause to someone else’s property—like their car, fence, or garage. The minimum required coverage is often inadequate, so consider increasing it to avoid legal headaches.
BONUS: What About Motorcycles, Scooters & Electric Bikes?
Florida does not require insurance for certain vehicles like mopeds, scooters, or e-bikes—but you’re still legally liable if you cause injuries or damage. We highly recommend riders carry coverage, especially since these vehicles are more prone to serious accidents.
Final Thoughts from a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
Understanding your insurance coverage isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. At The Perazzo Law Firm, we’ve seen countless cases where victims or at-fault drivers suffer long-term consequences due to insufficient insurance.
✅ Know your policies.
✅ Supplement what’s missing.
✅ Talk to a trusted Miami car accident lawyer if you’re ever in doubt.
📞 Call us at (786) LAWS-411 or visit www.perazzolaw.com for a FREE consultation. We proudly serve the Hispanic community and handle every case with care, compassion, and zero out-of-pocket costs unless we win.
Leave a Reply