Florida car insurance requirements: the minimums, and what they don't cover
By the Florida Coverage Compare editorial team · Last updated
The short answer
Florida requires every vehicle with four or more wheels to carry at least $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL) before it can be registered. PIP covers your own injuries no matter who caused the crash. PDL pays for damage you cause to other people's property. Bodily injury liability is not required for most drivers.
The two required coverages
You must show proof of both before you can register a vehicle in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP), $10,000: covers you, up to your policy limit, whether or not you caused the crash.
- Property Damage Liability (PDL), $10,000: pays for damage you cause to someone else's car or property.
What the minimums leave out
Florida is unusual: it does not require bodily injury liability for most drivers. That means the minimum policy doesn't pay for injuries you cause to other people. If you're at fault in a serious crash, you could be personally responsible for their medical bills.
The minimums also don't cover damage to your own car. That takes collision and comprehensive coverage, which a lender will usually require on a financed vehicle.
When bodily injury coverage becomes required
FLHSMV notes that after certain crashes, drivers can be required to carry bodily injury liability of at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per crash, plus $10,000 of property damage liability.
Coverage most Florida drivers add
- Bodily injury liability, to protect your savings if you injure someone
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for when the other driver can't pay
- Collision and comprehensive, to repair or replace your own car
Common questions
- What is the minimum car insurance in Florida?
- $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL), required before you can register a vehicle with four or more wheels.
- Is bodily injury liability required in Florida?
- Not for most drivers. It can become required after certain crashes, but most drivers choose to add it anyway because the minimums don't pay for injuries you cause to others.
- Does Florida PIP cover me if I caused the accident?
- Yes. PIP covers you up to your policy limit regardless of who was at fault.
Sources
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Florida insurance requirements
- FLHSMV: Insurance requirements after a crash
This guide is general information, not insurance advice. Florida Coverage Compare is not an insurance company or agent. Rules change; confirm details with a licensed agent or the official source. See our editorial standards.