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The insurance add-on every Florida driver should have

The insurance add-on every Florida driver should have
Even with mandatory insurance, Florida still has a high rate of uninsured and underinsured drivers. That’s why uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is essential for protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Florida’s no‑fault system and the basics of UM/UIM

Florida is a no‑fault state—every driver must carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) to register a vehicle.
UM/UIM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your medical and repair costs. Florida law requires auto policies with bodily injury liability to also include UM coverage—unless you sign a written rejection.

How much UM/UIM coverage should you carry?

By statute, your UM/UIM limits must be at least equal to your bodily injury liability limits.
You may elect higher limits up to $1 million if your insurer offers them .
  • Example:

    If you have $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage, your UM/UIM must be at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident.

One policy vs. multiple vehicles: stacking is important

Florida offers two UM options:
  • Stacking coverage — allows you to combine UM limits across all vehicles you insure.

  • Non‑stacking coverage — restricts UM benefits to just the vehicle in use.

Stacking increases protection but is only available if you explicitly opt in—Florida statutes require a clear written selection.

What counts as an uninsured or underinsured vehicle?

Florida considers a vehicle uninsured/underinsured if:
  • It has no liability insurance.

  • It has liability limits lower than the damages incurred.

  • The driver’s insurer becomes insolvent.

  • The driver is excluded from coverage—even if insured.

Recovering damages with UM/UIM coverage

If injured by an uninsured/underinsured driver, or if their insurance is inadequate, your UM/UIM policy covers your damages up to your policy limits. You may also recover:
  • Medical bills and hospital costs.

  • Lost wages.

  • Pain and suffering, if the injury meets Florida’s serious injury threshold.

Why UM/UIM matters in Florida today

  • Nearly 1 in 6 Florida drivers are uninsured.

  • With minimum PIP limits often insufficient for medical bills, UM/UIM provides a critical safety net.

  • Those with stacking coverage enjoy a significantly stronger shield following serious crashes.

What drivers should do now

  • Check your policy to confirm you have UM/UIM coverage, ideally stacked across all vehicles.

  • Select limits equal to or higher than your bodily injury liability.

  • Avoid rejecting UM coverage without discussing the risks with an attorney.

  • Consult a legal expert if:

    • You were in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured driver.
    • The other party’s insurance can’t cover full damages.
    • You have multiple vehicles and want to stack your coverage.