Why Doesn’t Florida Require Bodily Injury Coverage?

Florida is one of the few states that does not require drivers to carry Bodily Injury (BI) liability coverage. Many residents learn this only after a serious crash. When someone is hurt in an auto accident in Miami, the lack of mandatory BI coverage can significantly limit available insurance money, unless the injured party knows where to look and how to pursue every source of compensation.

A Miami personal injury lawyer can help victims navigate recovery complexities so they are not left paying out-of-pocket for injuries they didn’t cause.

Why Florida Does NOT Have a BI Requirement

Bodily Injury coverage is an insurance policy that pays for injuries you cause to someone else in a car accident. It typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, emotional distress, and legal fees if the at-fault driver is sued. In most states, BI coverage is required because it ensures that innocent victims have access to compensation when they are injured by another driver.

The majority of U.S. states require BI as part of their minimum auto insurance laws. These include states like California, New York, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and many others. In these states, if you are hurt by someone else’s negligence, there is usually at least a minimal amount of BI insurance available to cover your losses. Yet Florida is different.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning each driver must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover their own injuries, regardless of who caused the crash. Under current Florida law, drivers are only required to carry:

• $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Since PIP covers a portion of the policyholder’s losses, legislators historically believed BI coverage was not essential. However, PIP covers only 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, and it does not pay for pain and suffering or long-term care. Additionally, many Florida drivers carry no insurance at all, leaving accident victims with limited options.

How Florida Drivers Can Protect Themselves

Because BI is not mandatory, the smartest step a Florida driver can take is to purchase their own optional coverage. This could include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which is often cited as one of the most important coverages in Florida. It steps in when the at-fault driver has no BI insurance or too little.

MedPay to supplement PIP and cover additional medical expenses is also an option. Voluntary options provide financial protection in a state where many drivers are uninsured or underinsured.

A lack of mandatory BI coverage creates risks for every driver on the road. But by choosing the right optional insurance and working with an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer after a crash, people can protect themselves and secure the full financial recovery they need should an injury be sustained.

Were you hurt by a driver without BI coverage? You still have options. The attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law will fight to be sure all of your accident-related expenses are covered. When you are ready to secure a full and fair settlement, call 305-423-3800 to book a confidential consultation.