Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Florida
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage is designed to protect you if you are involved in a car accident with another driver who lacks adequate insurance to pay for your injuries. If you are injured in a crash caused by a driver who has only the state-required coverage or no insurance at all, UM coverage may be the only way to recover compensation.
Since 1965, our personal injury law firm has represented clients seriously injured in car accidents and other incidents. Our focus is on putting clients first and fighting for their best possible outcome.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, contact our personal injury lawyers today for a FREE consultation. Call (954) 981-1852 or use our online form. We are passionate about protecting your rights and helping you pursue full compensation.
What UM/UIM Covers in Florida
The State of Florida mandates that motorists must carry only a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage; Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance in the amount of $10,000 and property damage liability in the amount of $10,000.
Florida UM Insurance Law
When you purchase UM coverage, it becomes available after your PIP benefits and the at-fault driver’s insurance are used. This coverage applies to you, your spouse, and resident relatives (subject to policy terms) and usually protects you even when you are a passenger or driving another vehicle with permission.
UM Coverage
UM coverage protects you, your spouse, and your relatives that reside in the same household as you, with some exceptions regarding the “residential requirement.”Also, unless your insurance company specifically tells you otherwise, this type of coverage applies regardless of the vehicle you may be in or driving at the time of a collision, as long as you had permission from the owner to drive or be in that vehicle.
UM Benefits
In order to recover UM benefits, you must prove that another driver was at fault and that the injuries sustained are of a serious or “permanent” nature. As an injured driver, you must first exhaust your PIP and the at-fault driver’s insurance limits before recovering from your own UM policy.
In some cases, if your UM insurance company fails to honor your claim, you may also be able to recover in excess of your UM policy’s limits by pursuing what is called a “bad faith” cause of action. In addition to receiving more than your policy limits, a successful bad faith case may provide you with interest on unpaid benefits, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and any damages caused by a violation of the Florida “bad faith” law.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance can pay for your medical bills, damages, and losses when all other methods of compensation are inadequate or unavailable. However, the laws are complicated and the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries can vary greatly, depending upon the success of your claim. Working with an experienced Florida UM law firm can help to hold the insurance company accountable and prevent them from denying your claim.
Contact Our Florida UM Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt by an uninsured driver, you deserve experienced legal help. Call Rosen & Ohr, P.A. or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
Our firm has proudly served clients across South Florida for more than 45 years, including Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Hallandale, Fort Lauderdale, North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Cooper City, Dania Beach, Broward County, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County.