No Fault Resources

Auto Insurance Coverage

When it comes to auto insurance, many people get confused. Undoubtedly, choosing the right policy is very important. What is the point of paying for a policy which leaves you underinsured? It is equally unnecessary to add coverage which you don’t really need. Many people pay too much for auto insurance without even knowing it.

It is very important to understand the fundamentals. First of all, you need to know that your policy is in reality a package of different types of coverage. Secondly, there are types of coverage which are required by the state you live in. In most cases they are Bodily injury liability (BIL), Personal injury protection (PIP) and Property damage liability (PDL) coverage. The minimum amount of cover vary from state to state. See Florida No Fault Insurance requirements for additional information.

Bodily injury liability – you must remember that BIL provides protection in case you injure or kill someone while driving your car. Additionally, if another party decides to sue you after an accident you have caused, Bodily injury liability coverage will provide for legal defense. A serious accident may become very expensive so its wise to have enough cover to safeguard your personal assets. BIL is with regards to people’s injuries, not your vehicle. If you have more than one car, try to keep the BIL coverage the same for all of them.

Property damage liability – this part of the policy is designed to cover other people’s property damaged during an accident. PDL also gives you legal defense if another party files a lawsuit for property damages.

Personal injury protection – in some states closely linked with No-fault. It covers the medical expenses of the passengers in your car, including the driver. Depending on the policy and insurer, you may also be covered if injured as a pedestrian.

Experts always recommend to get more cover than the state’s required minimum.

Additional Auto Insurance Coverages

What other coverages may be useful to have? Well, it all depends on your circumstances, but here are the most common ones:

Uninsured motorists coverage – in the last few years more and more people are driving uninsured. It can be blamed on the economy or the lack of social responsibility, but either way you need to protect yourself and your family against such drivers. Uninsured motorists coverage is highly recommended and not that expensive in most states.

Comprehensive physical damage coverage – if you want your car to be protected against fire, flood or theft, this is the coverage you need. Of course, it is hardly worth it adding it to your policy if you car doesn’t have a lot of value. Having higher deductibles will keep the cost of this coverage low.

Collision coverage – if you are hit by another car or object or your car hits another vehicle, collision coverage will pay for the damages to your vehicle. Again, only worth it if you driver a newer car and your deductible comes into play.

These are pretty much the main coverages that you need. Decide wisely which ones you need and which cover is not for you. Always go with more than the minimum required and consult an insurance expert if in doubt.

Will the Toyota recall increase your car insurance?

Are you one of the Toyota owners in Florida who has been affected by the recent recall? Apart from making sure you car is safe to drive, you are probably wondering what will the recall do to your car insurance. Are you still properly covered? Will your insurance rates go up? How about the value of your Toyota?

Insurance companies in Florida have confirmed that your liability or collision insurance will not be affected by Toyota’s recall If you have an accident due to a faulty accelerator, your insurance company will pay the claim and chase the manufacturer for compensation. After all, this is the reason you have auto insurance in the first place – unforeseen events. You may have to pay the deductible, but experts say Toyota will return part or all of the deductible to you.

As for your insurance premiums, insurance companies (including State Farm and Allstate) have stated that there will be no increase. The model and type of car you drive plays an important role when your insurance rates are calculated. Toyota has a good reputation overall for making safe cars and the recent recall will not mean that all Toyota owners will automatically start paying more.

The value of used Toyota cars will undoubtedly go down. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should sell yours immediately. Yes, the value of your car may have decreased, but in a way that means you may get a cheaper quote when you renew your Florida No Fault Insurance.

Still unsure if your insurance rate will change? Compare FREE Florida auto insurance quotes now and see for your self.

Moving To Florida – Driver License, Insurance And Car Registration

Thousands of people move to Florida every month. Moving to a different state can be stressful at times. To avoid any unpleasant surprises make sure you are familiar with the local laws.

Once you are a resident of the Sunshine State you will have to change your driver license, insure and register your vehicle. You are considered to be a resident when you start a new job, enrol your kids to a local school, live in Florida for more than 6 consecutive months or register to vote.

Obtaining Your Florida Driver License

Florida’s law requires you to change your driver license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Before you are issued a Florida driver license, you must present the authorities with the correct identification and documents. Many new comers experience the frustration of not bringing the right ID and paperwork and end up wasting their time.

1. Primary Identification – Used as proof of your date of birth. For U.S. Citizens it could be a birth certificate issued by a government agency (certificate issued by hospital will not be accepted),US passport or certificate of naturalization. In same cases a proof of citizenship may be required so make sure you carry the appropriate documents. In case your name has changed due to marriage or divorce, again you will need to provide the appropriate paperwork.

2. Proof of Social Security Number - Any of the following will be sufficient – Social Security card, W-2 form, Pay check, SSA-1099 or Non-SSA-1099.

3. Proof of Residential Address – You must bring at least TWO documents which state your current address in Florida. An example of such proof of address is a monthly mortgage statement or rent agreement, Florida voter registration card, Medical or health card with address listed, insurance policy or bill, professional license issued by a government agency, W-2 form or 1099 form, Mail from financial institutions or recent utility bills.

If your drivers license is suspended by another state, the suspension must end before you are issued a Florida Driver License.

Registering Your Car In Florida

The law requires you to change the registration of your car within 10 days of becoming a resident. In order to register your car, you need to visit your local Florida county tax collector’s office. Bring with you your original out of state title, proof of Florida auto insurance and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Verification.

The VIN must be physically inspected by a law enforcement officer, a licensed motor vehicle dealer, DMV examiner or county tax collector employee, and even by a provost Marshal or an active military officer.

There are a few exemptions and VIN Verification doesn’t apply to new vehicles, mobile homes and trailers or semi-trailers with a net weight of less than 2,000 pounds.

If your car is less than 6 months old, you may be required to pay sales tax. It all depends on how much tax you have already paid. For example if you have paid 5% in your previous state you will now have to pay an additional 1% in Florida, as the sales tax in Florida is 6%.

Florida No Fault Insurance

As already mention, in order to register your vehicle you must have auto insurance. Your insurance must be from Florida, not another state. The minimum requirements as per Florida No Fault Law are $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) ad $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL). If you are coming from New Jersey, New Your or Michigan you will be glad to know that you auto insurance will most likely be cheaper in Florida. On the other hand, if you used to live in Idaho, Iowa or Vermont, you will find Florida auto insurance rates more expensive.

One sure way to save on auto insurance is to compare auto insurance quotes online. Its fast, free and secure. You can even save up to 35%!

What are you waiting for compare Florida No Fault Insurance quotes online now and see how much you could save.

Ask your insurance agent

Comparing auto insurance quotes is only the first step to find the right coverage and save money. You have probably listen to all the experts’ advice and have found a few companies that offer a good deal.

The second step is to figure out which one to choose, which seems simple enough but it reality is a difficult task. The cheapest policy is not always the best. It is always a good idea to talk to a professional and get a few questions answered before signing on the dotted line.

Here are a few questions you should ask your agents.

Who is covered by the policy?
It is important to know if you policy covers all the members of your family or a person who borrows your car for a day.

Am I covered “enough”?
Most people make the mistake to go only with the minimum state requirements. It is cheaper of course but quote dangerous since in the unfortunate event of an accident you may end up with a huge bill that your insurance will not pay because it exceeds your limits. An agent should be able to advise you what the best limits for you are considering your personal circumstances.

What discounts are available to me?
If you are insuring more than one vehicle or combine home with auto insurance, there may be a good discount which will save you money. Make sure you don’t miss on it.

Can I cancel my Florida car insurance?
Be aware of the time period required if you want to cancel your insurance. Know the exact steps involved and bare in mind that driving without car insurance is illegal.

What payment options are available to me?
Paying for your insurance annually will probably save you money, but most people can’t afford to fork out such a big sum at one go. Make sure you know how much more you will be paying if you choose to be billed every month.