What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida?
Uninsured Motorist coverage, commonly called UM coverage, can help protect you when you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who does not have adequate bodily injury liability insurance.
Florida drivers often focus on the coverage required to register a vehicle, but those minimum requirements do not necessarily protect you against injuries caused by another driver. Understanding Uninsured Motorist coverage can be an important part of reviewing your Florida auto insurance policy.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protect Against?
Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed to provide protection when you are legally entitled to recover damages from a driver who does not have sufficient bodily injury liability insurance.
Depending on the circumstances and the terms of your policy, UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver:
- Does not carry bodily injury liability insurance
- Does not have enough bodily injury liability insurance to cover your damages
- Meets other circumstances defined by Florida law and your insurance policy
Because an underinsured driver may also fall within Florida's uninsured motorist framework, you may sometimes see the coverage referred to as UM/UIM coverage.
Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required in Florida?
Florida drivers are not generally required to purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage.
However, when a Florida auto insurance policy provides bodily injury liability coverage, Florida law generally requires the insurer to offer Uninsured Motorist coverage. A named insured may reject the coverage in writing or select limits lower than the bodily injury liability limits, subject to Florida law.
This is different from Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL), which are generally part of Florida's minimum insurance requirements for registering most vehicles.
Why Can UM Coverage Be Important?
Imagine another driver causes an accident that seriously injures you or a family member. If that driver has no bodily injury liability coverage—or does not have enough coverage—the amount available from the at-fault driver's insurance may not be sufficient for the damages resulting from the accident.
Uninsured Motorist coverage can provide an additional source of protection, subject to the coverage purchased, policy terms, applicable limits, and Florida law.
What Is the Difference Between PIP and Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
PIP and Uninsured Motorist coverage serve different purposes.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) generally provides certain benefits for covered medical expenses and lost income after an auto accident regardless of who caused the accident, subject to Florida law and policy terms.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is designed to protect insured persons who are legally entitled to recover damages from an uninsured or underinsured at-fault driver.
Having PIP does not mean that Uninsured Motorist coverage is unnecessary. The two coverages address different risks.
What Are Stacked and Non-Stacked UM Coverage?
Florida drivers may encounter the terms stacked and non-stacked when reviewing Uninsured Motorist coverage.
These options can affect how UM coverage applies, particularly when multiple vehicles are insured. The availability, cost, limits, and application of stacked or non-stacked coverage can vary by policy and insurer.
Because these differences can be significant, it is important to review the actual policy terms and discuss the available options with a licensed insurance professional.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Should You Consider?
There is no single amount of UM coverage that is appropriate for every Florida driver.
When reviewing your options, consider factors such as:
- Your bodily injury liability limits
- Your household and the drivers covered by your policy
- Your financial situation and assets
- The number of vehicles on your policy
- Your overall auto and umbrella insurance strategy
An insurance advisor can help you compare available limits and explain how the options offered by different insurance companies may apply to your situation.
Review Your Florida Auto Insurance Coverage
Florida auto insurance can involve much more than meeting the minimum requirements needed to register a vehicle. PIP, bodily injury liability, Uninsured Motorist coverage, comprehensive, collision, and other options can all play different roles in protecting you financially.
Insurance Scout Partners is an independent Florida insurance agency. Our licensed insurance professionals can help you review your current auto insurance coverage and compare options from multiple insurance companies.
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This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice or a guarantee of coverage. Insurance coverage, limits, exclusions, and eligibility vary by policy and insurance company. Review your policy documents and consult a licensed insurance professional regarding your specific coverage.