Are You Properly Covered? How to Choose the Right Auto Insurance in Florida

Understanding the Difference Between Minimum and Full Coverage (and What You Actually Need)

When it comes to buying car insurance in Florida, many drivers are focused on one thing: price. And while affordability matters—especially with the state’s rising premiums—choosing the cheapest coverage could leave you dangerously exposed in the event of a serious accident.

This week, we’ll walk you through how to evaluate your current auto policy and determine whether your coverage truly fits your needs. We’ll break down the difference between minimum vs. full coverage, explain how to choose your liability limits, and help you assess whether you have any coverage gaps.

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What Does Florida Require at Minimum?

Let’s start with the basics. To legally register and drive a vehicle in Florida, you must carry at least:

• $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – covers your own injuries after a crash
• $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) – covers damage you cause to someone else’s property

That’s it. Unlike most states, Florida does not require Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) unless you’ve been convicted of a DUI or certain other serious driving offenses.

While this makes Florida’s minimum coverage seem affordable on the surface, it’s important to understand: this level of coverage will not protect you financially in many real-world scenarios.

Want a refresher on what each coverage type does? Check out our guide to Florida auto insurance basics.

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The Problem with Minimum Coverage

Let’s look at a common accident scenario. You’re found at fault in a collision where the other driver suffers $75,000 in medical bills and their car is totaled. If you only have the minimum required coverage:

• Your PIP pays for your own injuries up to $10,000
• Your PDL pays for the other driver’s property damage, up to $10,000
• But you have no coverage for the other driver’s medical costs, and they may sue you personally to recover damages

This is where Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage comes into play. It pays for the injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident and protects your assets from lawsuits.

If you own a home, have savings, or even just a decent income, you could be putting your financial future at risk by relying on the bare minimum.

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What Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance?

The term “full coverage” can be misleading. There’s no universal definition, but in most cases, it means a policy that includes:

• Liability coverage (BIL and PDL)
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
• Comprehensive coverage – covers non-collision damage (theft, fire, flood, vandalism)
• Collision coverage – pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault

If you have a loan or lease on your car, your lender will likely require full coverage until the vehicle is paid off. But even if you own your car outright, full coverage is often the smart choice—especially in a state like Florida where severe weather, high traffic volume, and uninsured drivers are common.

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Choosing the Right Liability Limits

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much liability coverage to carry. This includes both:

• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL)
• Property Damage Liability (PDL)

The state’s $10,000 property damage limit might cover a fender bender, but it likely won’t be enough if you total a newer vehicle. And no BIL coverage at all? That’s a huge risk.

We recommend at least:

• $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident in Bodily Injury Liability
• $50,000 in Property Damage Liability

These limits better reflect the potential cost of a serious accident—and they offer protection against lawsuits that could otherwise impact your home, savings, or wages.

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Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

UM/UIM pays for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages when the other driver can’t. It’s especially important in Florida because Bodily Injury Liability isn’t mandatory, so even “insured” drivers may not carry enough coverage to pay for your injuries.

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How to Evaluate Your Current Coverage

If you’re unsure whether your current policy offers the protection you need, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do I have Bodily Injury Liability coverage—and are my limits high enough?
• Do I carry UM/UIM protection in case I’m hit by an uninsured driver?
• Do I have comprehensive and collision on my vehicle? (Especially important if it’s newer or financed)
• Have I reviewed my coverage in the last year?
• Would my current policy fully protect me in a serious accident?

Not sure how to answer these questions? Schedule a free Florida auto insurance review with our team and get expert guidance on your coverage needs.

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Striking the Balance Between Cost and Protection

While it’s tempting to reduce your coverage to save money, the long-term financial impact of being underinsured can be devastating. The good news? With the right combination of discounts, deductible choices, and smart shopping, you can build a policy that balances both cost and protection.

If you missed it, check out our list of 10 ways to save on Florida car insurance without cutting corners.

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Coming Next Week: How to Compare Quotes and Find the Best Deal

Next week, we’ll break down the step-by-step process of shopping for auto insurance in Florida—including how to compare apples to apples, avoid hidden coverage gaps, and get the best value from your policy.

Until then, remember: price matters—but so does protection.