Reader’s Question:

Can a disabled person in a wheelchair, who can’t operate a vehicle himself, have insurance on his car without a licensed driver listed? I live in Florida.

Mary

Boca Raton, FL

In general, most insurance providers in Florida will not provide insurance for a car if there is not a licensed motorist listed on the policy. Insurance providers want to determine who are the risks they are going to insure and want to rate the policy accordingly. Without any licensed motorists listed, they are unable to know if the people operating the car are large risks or a small risks. Also, there are probably other types of liability that this type of policy creates that insurance carriers do not want to cover. Now, some insurance carriers will exclude the named insured - which, in this case, would be the disabled people in the wheelchair - again, as long as there is a licensed motorist listed on the policy.

Reader’s Question:

In the state of Florida how long do you have to maintain an SR-22 for a 12 month suspension on points?

Gene

Fort Lauderdale, FL

The FL Department of Highway and Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) lists a thirty day suspension for 12 points earned within 12 months, a three month suspension for 18 points earned in 18 months and a 1 year suspension for 24 points within a 36 month period. So it looks like that you have received 24 points within a period three years to receive a one year driver’s license suspension.

Florida law requires motorists to maintain bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance in addition to PDL and PIP coverages in some cases, such as when a motorist is convicted of certain traffic infractions. According to the Florida Driver’s Manual, the FL Financial Responsibility Law requires an individual to have bodily injury liability insurance at the time of receiving a suspension for too many points against your driver license.

Reader’s Question:

If my daughter puts an advertisement on her car, does she have to pay more for her auto insurance? She lives in Florida.

Bill

Coral Springs, FL

Yes, it is likely your daughter would have to pay more for her car insurance in Florida if she put an advertisement on her car since most insurance companies would now require her to get a business policy on the car instead of holding a personal car insurance policy.

I am not sure what your daughter’s current insurance company would do regarding her policy type of insurance rates; she would need to contact her insurance provider for this information. But generally, many personal car insurance companies in Florida would not cover her vehicle if she places an advertisement or lettering for a business on the car. Due to advertising a business on this car, an insurance company will typically now require your daughter to purchase a business car policy or business use policy instead of a personal car policy.

Reader’s Question:

In Florida, is it illegal to drive a car without insurance? What would happen if I got pulled over finds out that I am driving without insurance?

Matt

Miami, FL

Yes, it is indeed illegal in the state of Florida to operate a vehicle without insurance. If a law enforcement officer stops you in Florida and finds out that you are driving without insurance you can be cited. Even though you were not involved in an accident since auto insurance is required for a registered car in FL and to be on the roadway.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that they are authorized to suspend your driving privilege, including your vehicle tag and registration, for up to 3 years or until proof of Florida insurance is presented, whichever is first.

If you are currently driving uninsured in Florida it would advisable to obtain at least the state required property damage and PIP coverage on your car as soon as possible so that you are not caught by the HSMV for a lapse in coverage or cited by police officer for being on the road as an uninsured driver.

Reader’s Question:

I have a motorcycle and I would like to know if motorcycle insurance is required in the state of Florida?

Ben

Orlando, FL

For the state of Florida motorcycle insurance requirements can be confusing. To register a motorcycle in FL, motorcycle insurance is not required . But, if a motorcycle operator is charged in a crash with injuries, then the motorcycle owner or owner/operator is financially responsible for bodily injuries and property damage to others.

If no liability coverage was in effect for the motorcycle at the time of the accident, then bodily injury/property damage liability insurance must be purchased and maintained for 3 years to avoid suspension of license and tag/registration or to reinstate license and tag/registration after suspension.

So liability insurance for motorcycle is voluntary and not mandatory unless you got involved and caused an accident but it is highly recommended to be bought for your protection. If you want to carry passengers it is also a good decision to see if you need extra insurance coverage for them.

Reader’s Question:

What will be the fee for lapse in car insurance for Florida?

Janice

Miami, Florida (FL)

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles matches a registration to data it receives from every insurance providers. If your car is not registered as having auto insurance you should be notified, but it does not always happen.

Failure to keep insurance on your car that is registered in Florida, may result to suspension of your driving privilege by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles including your registration and vehicle tag, for up to 3 years or until proof of Florida insurance is provided, whichever is first.

If your driver’s license is suspended because you are not properly insured there is a penalty to reinstate your license. A reinstatement fee of $150 and up to $500, for subsequent infractions, must be paid and you must show proof of current Florida insurance.