Will making an Uninsured Motorist Claim raise my insurance rates in Florida? This is a question that many Floridians grapple with when faced with the aftermath of an auto accident involving uninsured or underinsured Florida drivers. To comprehend the impact of Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist protection on Florida auto insurance, it's essential to grasp the complexities of UM / UIM coverage and how it corresponds with Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) laws.
In this article, we will delve into the role of PIP in Florida auto insurance and why additional Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage can be crucial for your financial protection.
We'll address whether or not making an Uninsured Motorist Claim could potentially raise your insurance rates in Florida, providing valuable insights for those concerned about their premiums while seeking compensation for injuries sustained due to another driver's negligence.
Finally, we'll walk you through the steps involved in filing a UM claim after an accident and highlight how experienced personal injury attorneys can assist throughout the process.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida
In Florida, auto insurance alone is not enough to protect you from the financial risks posed by uninsured drivers. Thus, Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage should be considered a must-have because it's essential to cover expenses related to injuries, pain, and suffering caused by drivers with insufficient insurance coverage. Florida drivers should seriously consider adding UM/UIM coverage to their auto insurance policies, and we'll talk more about why that is below.
The Role of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Florida Auto Insurance
Florida law requires drivers to maintain at least $10,000 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 worth of Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. PIP covers medical expenses regardless of fault, but it may not be enough to cover all costs associated with car accident injuries. That's where UM coverage comes in handy; it helps bridge the financial gap when another driver causes an accident but doesn't have enough insurance to pay for your damages or losses.
Why Additional UM Coverage Can Be Crucial
A study by the Insurance Research Council found that Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the US. If you're involved in an accident with an uninsured driver and sustain injuries requiring medical treatment beyond what your PIP coverage can handle, you may be left with hefty bills, and UM coverage can help cover those types of expenses.
UM coverage also covers lost wages due to injuries sustained during motor vehicle collisions where the other party was at fault but lacked adequate insurance resources to compensate for those losses fully. Therefore, it's crucial to consider adding Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage to your auto insurance policy to safeguard yourself against potential monetary burdens arising from accidents caused by negligent drivers lacking proper insurance.
Florida requires driver to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, when this coverage isn't enough to cover your medical bills and lost wages, Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in to cover losses above and beyond what PIP will cover.
Uninsured Motorist Claims and Your Insurance Rates
Worried about your insurance premiums after filing an Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance claim? In Florida, state laws protect policyholders from premium increases solely due to filing a UM claim, but other factors like your driving record, traffic violations, fault determination, and loss of discounts could affect your premiums and cause insurance carriers to charge increased rates.
Florida Statutes Section 627.727(9)(a) prohibits insurers from raising premiums due to UM claims, but it's crucial to maintain open communication with your insurance company and seek legal representation from experienced personal injury attorneys to ensure fair compensation and protection against unwarranted rate increases.
- Florida Law: Florida Statutes Section 627.727(9)(a) protects policyholders from premium increases due to UM claims.
- Potential Factors: Traffic violations, fault determination, and loss of discounts could affect your premiums.
- Communication: Maintain open communication with your insurance company throughout the claims process.
- Legal Representation: Seek legal representation from experienced personal injury attorneys to ensure fair compensation and protection against unwarranted rate increases.
Filing an insurance claim for your Uninsured Motorist coverage should not increase your insurance rates because Florida law prohibits insurers from raising premiums due to UM claims. Insurance carriers will most likely look at your driving record when considering charging increased rates.
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim: What You Need to Know
Got hit and injured by an uninsured driver in Florida? Don't be alarmed, you could still potentially get recompense for the damages if you're carrying UM or UIM coverage on your policy.
The first thing you should do after a car crash is contact your insurance company and gather evidence such as police reports and medical records. Also, review your auto insurance policy to determine your uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage limits.
An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with insurers and file a lawsuit if necessary. Don't go through this alone, hire a knowledgeable attorney to evaluate your case and gather crucial evidence. Insurance companies routinely take advantage of unrepresented claimants because insurance companies and adjusters may handle thousands of claims per month, while a claimant may only handle one or two claims in a lifetime.
Insurance carriers are often reluctant to pay out UM claims, just like any other claim. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, but having an experienced lawyer advocating for you increases the likelihood of receiving fair compensation. With assistance from seasoned legal professionals, victims of underinsured motorist accidents stand a better chance of recovering financial losses incurred during these unfortunate events.
After a crash, you need to contact your insurance company and let them know about the incident. Also, you should keep a copy of your police report and any medical records.
FAQs in Relation to Whether Making an Uninsured Motorist Claim Will Raise Insurance Rates in Florida
Q1: Is uninsured motorist coverage a must-have in Florida?
A1: With many of Florida's drivers being uninsured, having uninsured motorist coverage and/or underinsured motorist coverage as part of your car insurance is a no-brainer to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. Uninsured motorist claims and underinsured motorist claims are often necessary to cover medical bills after being injured in an auto accident in Florida. Seriously consider purchasing underinsured motorist coverage and/or uninsured motorist coverage if you can because this type of car insurance can be a lifesaver.
Q2: What if an uninsured driver hits you in Florida?
A2: Your PIP and UM coverages will help pay for medical bills and property damage, but if the at-fault party's insurance is inadequate, legal action may be necessary to recover compensation. If the insurance company refuses to pay out UM insurance coverage when the driver purchased an uninsured motorist policy, that's when drivers may need to file underinsured motorist claims.
Q3: Do insurance companies pursue uninsured drivers in Florida?
A3: Insurance companies that pay out under an uninsured motorist policy may pursue subrogation against the at-fault uninsured driver to recover their losses.
Q4: What does UM/UIM cover in Florida?
A4: UM/UIM insurance polices provide financial protection for bodily injury damage caused by a negligent driver who lacks sufficient auto insurance or carries no policy at all. UM/UIM covers medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages that exceed PIP limits. Make sure to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your insurance policies and rights in case of an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Do You Need to Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer?
So, if you're wondering: "Will making an Uninsured Motorist Claim raise my insurance rates in Florida?" you may want to speak with an attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Florida, you should speak with a skilled, experienced, and aggressive Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible because you may be entitled to compensation. We offer free legal consultations, and we're happy to help you.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us on our website, or you can call our Orlando, Florida personal injury law firm today at (321) 352-7588 and schedule your free consultation by phone. When you schedule a consultation at our law firm, you will get a consultation with a Florida car accident lawyer, not a customer service representative or intake person.
If you need a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (843) 638-6590. We have at least one lawyer licensed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. So, if you’ve been injured in the Southeast, we have you covered. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
