Is it Illegal to Drive Without Car Insurance in Florida?

Driving is a privilege – not a right – and in the State of Florida, every motorist is required to carry car insurance up to certain minimums. Unfortunately, however, not every motorist is above skirting the law, and there are plenty of drivers out there who don’t carry adequate car insurance or who don’t carry any car insurance at all. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver who doesn’t have car insurance, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced Tampa car accident attorney.

Minimum Insurance Requirements in Florida

Before a driver can register a vehicle that has four wheels in the State of Florida, they must show proof of two specific kinds of insurance, including:

A minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP), which covers 80 percent of related medical expenses that are deemed necessary and reasonable for the driver themself – regardless of who caused the accident
A minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage, which covers any property damage to the other motorist’s property, such as their car and its contents, that was caused by the driver carrying the coverage.

Florida is what we call a no-fault state in relation to car accidents, which means the first line of defense for anyone who suffers losses in a car accident is their own PIP policy. It’s important to note here that drivers aren’t technically required to carry liability insurance, which covers the losses others incur as a result of a driver’s negligence.

The Other Driver’s Responsibility

Although drivers aren’t technically required to carry liability insurance in Florida, they can be held responsible for serious losses that motorists suffer as a result of their negligence. In fact, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can impose serious penalties for those who fail to carry adequate coverage in the face of a car accident claim against them.

Obtaining the Compensation to Which You’re Entitled

If you’re injured by a motorist who doesn’t have the insurance they’re required to carry, you’ll need to turn to your own coverage. If you were seriously injured, your PIP policy may not come anywhere near covering your complete losses, but you likely also carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. Insurance providers are required to offer UM coverage in the State of Florida, and to opt-out; you must do so in writing.

If your claim does go through your own insurance coverage, it does not mean that they’re going to go easy on you. Your own insurance company is just as invested as any other insurance provider in keeping profits high and settlements low. In other words, you’re well advised to have a practiced car accident attorney on your side.

Make the Call to an Experienced Tampa Car Accident Attorney Today

The trusted Tampa car accident attorneys at Mickey Keenan P.A. have reserves of impressive experience helping valued clients like you fully recover from their physical, financial, and emotional losses, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our fierce advocacy for your claim’s best possible resolution. Learn more by contacting or calling us at 813-669-5471 today.