Many drivers assume a “full coverage” policy is all they need to recover after a wreck. However, full coverage car insurance doesn't actually guarantee “full” payment.
Full coverage refers to the combination of several types of insurance that help a driver pay for auto damage—and often doesn't take into account the complete cost of medical and wage losses.
A Full Coverage Policy May Not Cover All Costs of a Florida Crash
Unfortunately, there's not a singular insurance requirement that can be called “full coverage,” and the term may mean various things in different states.
In Florida, most people who purchase the following policies may be said to have “full” coverage:
- State-required no-fault insurance coverage. All motorists are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) in order to drive in Florida. If an accident occurs, each driver and insured passenger file claims under his or her insurance policy. Each driver’s plan may also cover additional members of his household, authorized drivers of their vehicles, and passengers who don't have PIP coverage because they don't own a vehicle.
- Collision coverage. While state-required PDL pays for the damage to someone else’s car in a collision, it doesn't cover damage to a driver’s own vehicle. Collision coverage is an optional form of insurance that reimburses any relatable costs after a collision with another driver, striking a sign or pothole, or even backing into a parked car.
- Comprehensive coverage. Just as with full coverage, comprehensive is a somewhat misleading name for this type of insurance. Simply put, comprehensive coverage is an optional policy for damage to your vehicle caused by any non-accident event. This coverage can be used for losses such as fire, vandalism, theft, storm damage, or striking a wild animal.
Optional insurance coverage can make a big difference in the amount of compensation you collect after an accident. For example, while not required by Florida law, policies for bodily injury liability and uninsured motorists offer additional payments for crash-related injuries.
If you're having trouble getting full compensation from an insurer, we can explain your options at no cost to you. Simply fill out the quick contact form on this page today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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