PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE CONTENT OF THIS POST IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE BUT SERVES AN INFORMATIVE PURPOSE ONLY AND PERTAINS TO FLORIDA POLICIES.

This serves as a brief summary of insurance coverage and benefits involving automobile insurance policies of which you should be aware.

When purchasing your policy, it is important to select coverage that you can depend on in case you are ever involved in an automobile accident. There are many drivers out on the road without bodily injury (BI) coverage, for example. What is BI? It is the insurance coverage of the liable party that may afford coverage for your personal injury claim for injuries you have sustained as a result of an automobile accident. So, what happens if the liable party does not have BI coverage? You need to depend on your own policy if your policy includes uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. The foregoing is the insurance coverage you can count on when (1) the liable party does not have sufficient or any BI coverage; (2) you have been injured as a result of an automobile accident caused by another’s negligence; and (3) you wish to present a claim for such injuries.

Comprehensive and collision coverage is another coverage type that is important to include in your policy. Collision refers to coverage of the damages to your vehicle arising from an automobile accident or a collision. Comprehensive refers to coverage of the damages to your vehicle arising from events that are not collision-related consisting of but not limited to theft, vandalism or even hail.

You may be wondering what coverage is required in Florida and therefore don’t have to worry about adding to your automobile insurance policy. One such coverage is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). The foregoing refers to the required benefits that are afforded by your automobile insurance carrier regardless of who is liable for the accident. These benefits consist of but are not limited to 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages.

Please keep in mind that the above is not a list of all coverage types. However, as this is only a brief informative summary, all such additional information and details are not included in this summary. Please be sure to become familiar with all exclusions listed in your policy and speak with your insurance agent about any changes that need to be made to your policy as soon as the need arises.

Jessylin Polo Wiederhold, Esq.
Polo Wiederhold Law, P.A.