Why Florida Drivers Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protecting Yourself from the 1 in 5 Drivers Without Insurance

You follow the rules. Insurance is something you carry. Driving responsibly is part of your routine. But not everyone on the road does the same. In fact, Florida consistently ranks among the worst states for uninsured drivers—with nearly 1 in 5 motorists operating a vehicle without any insurance at all.

So what happens if you’re hit by one of these drivers?

If you haven’t added Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to your policy, you risk paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that your standard policy doesn’t cover.

In this post, we’ll explain what UM/UIM coverage is, how it works, and why Florida drivers should strongly consider adding it to their auto insurance policy.

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Florida’s Uninsured Driver Problem

Florida ranks near the top of the nation for uninsured motorists. The Insurance Research Council reports that approximately 20% of Florida drivers fail to carry any liability insurance, even though the law requires every driver to carry at least Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability.

Here’s the catch: Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage, which means even insured drivers may not have enough coverage to pay for injuries they cause in an accident.

hat becomes a serious problem if you’re hurt in a crash and the at-fault driver either:

• Has no insurance
• Has only the minimum required coverage (which doesn’t include liability for your medical bills)
• Flees the scene of the accident (hit-and-run)

In these cases, your only line of defense is UM/UIM coverage.

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What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage protect you if someone without enough (or any) insurance injures you in an accident. These optional auto insurance coverages step in when the at-fault driver can’t pay for your damages.

These coverages help pay for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term rehabilitation
• Funeral expenses (in fatal accidents)

In a state like Florida, where many drivers carry only the bare minimum, this coverage can protect you financially and prevent you from facing the consequences alone.

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Real-Life Example: Why UM Coverage Matters

Let’s say you’re hit by a driver who runs a red light. You suffer serious injuries, and your medical bills exceed $50,000.

• Your PIP coverage will pay up to $10,000 for your injuries (as required by Florida law)
• But the at-fault driver only carries the state minimum and has no BIL coverage
• Without UM coverage, you would have to sue the driver personally—assuming they have any assets, which most don’t.

If you had UM coverage of $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident, your own insurance would pay the difference—providing peace of mind and financial relief when you need it most.

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Does UM Cover Hit-and-Run Accidents?

Yes. In Florida, Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you in hit-and-run situations when you can’t identify the at-fault driver.These incidents are more common than most people realize, especially in metro areas like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.

As long as there’s physical contact with your vehicle and you report the incident to police promptly, your UM coverage can step in to cover your losses—without having to track down the other driver.

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What Limits Should You Choose?

UM/UIM limits are typically offered in the same amounts as your Bodily Injury Liability coverage. For example, if you carry:

• $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident in liability
• You can elect the same $100,000/$300,000 in UM/UIM coverage

You also have the option to choose stacked or non-stacked UM coverage:

• Stacked UM allows you to combine coverage limits across multiple vehicles on your policy, offering broader protection
• Non-stacked UM only applies per vehicle and generally costs less

In Florida, stacked UM coverage is a smart choice for households with more than one insured car, as it increases the total available protection if you’re injured in a serious accident.

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Is UM Coverage Expensive?

Compared to the potential cost of being hit by an uninsured driver, UM/UIM coverage is surprisingly affordable. For most drivers, adding this coverage adds only a few extra dollars a month—but can provide tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in protection.

Considering how many Florida drivers carry little or no liability coverage, UM is one of the best value-for-dollar coverages you can add to your auto policy.

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How to Add UM/UIM to Your Policy

You can add UM/UIM coverage at any time—whether you’re starting a new policy or reviewing your current one. Your agent will typically require you to:

• Choose limits (matching your BIL coverage is a good place to start)
• Decide between stacked or non-stacked options
• Sign a form acknowledging your acceptance or rejection of the coverage (as required by Florida law)

If you don’t actively choose UM/UIM in writing, it will not be included by default—which means many drivers think they have it, but don’t.

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Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If you’re injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and you don’t have UM/UIM coverage, it’s too late to add it. You’ll be left relying on your own health insurance (if you have it), or footing the bill yourself.

With so many uninsured drivers on Florida roads, the question isn’t “if” you need this protection—it’s “how much”.

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Coming Next Week: Is Your Auto Policy Ready for Storm Season?

Hurricane season is here, and your car is just as vulnerable as your home. Next week, we’ll explore how comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from hurricanes, floods, and more—plus how to prepare your policy before the next big storm hits.