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Driving Without Car Insurance
As a no-fault state, Florida drivers involved in car accidents must first turn to their insurance policies to cover their losses, no matter who was to blame. Sometimes, however, a victim’s expenses can exceed their policy limits, leaving them to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. This becomes difficult when the at-fault driver lacks car insurance altogether. Studies have shown that about 25 percent of drivers on the road do not have car insurance as required by the state of Florida.
Penalties and Consequences
Drivers caught operating a motor vehicle without proper car insurance may face hefty fines and revocation of their license for an extended period of time. Currently, the penalties for driving without car insurance are:
| Fines | Loss of License | |
|---|---|---|
| First Offense | $150 reinstatement fee | License can be revoked for up to 3 years |
| Second Offense | $250 reinstatement fee | License can be revoked for up to 3 years |
| Third Offense | $500 reinstatement fee | License can be revoked for up to 3 years |
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) can help cover expenses when your personal injury protection coverage is exhausted, and the other driver is uninsured. As briefly mentioned in our recent blog, “How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?”, UM coverage, along with other types of insurance coverage, is not required by Florida law (although we think it should be)! A 2018 study revealed that uninsured drivers were 34 more times likely to cause an accident than drivers who were insured.
UM coverage can be used to cover costs beyond the $10,000 personal injury protection minimum like:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
Declining Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Suppose you are injured in an accident where the at-fault driver has no insurance and you do not have uninsured motorist coverage. In this case, you will only be able to recover expenses as covered under your personal injury protection. You have the option of suing the at-fault driver; however, drivers without insurance generally lack assets sufficient enough to cover your losses.
Involved in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?
If you were involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, contact your Tallahassee car accident attorney at Shapiro Law Firm, P.A.. For more than 25 years, our firm has been committed to fighting for your justice and securing your deserved compensation. You can rely on our team to provide you with the professional legal representation you need to achieve your goals.
Call our office today at (850) 629-7226 for a free consultation, or fill out our form online to get in touch with a member of our team. We will fight for your rights when others will not.