Reader’s Question:

What is the time limit on an auto insurance claim in Florida? Thank you in advance.

Jerry

Miami, FL

This depends on the state for US requests and the claims. In the UK, you would need to seek legal advice.

In Florida, most injuries like car accidents, dog bite, slip and fall, and motorcycle accidents give you four years to file your claim. But in wrongful death actions — no matter what or how the victim is killed, the time is limited to two years.

It is a best idea to file your car insurance claim as soon as you can. You may contact your specific claims department to determine additional details regarding car insurance claims.

Tags: advice, auto insurance claims, autos

Reader’s Question:

I have one car that I lease and another car that I’m still financing, is it required by law that I have to have the same coverage on both cars or can I have different coverage on both cars? I live in Florida.

Melody

Orlando, Florida

In Florida the state law requires minimum coverage of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) and if you have been involved in an accident, or convicted of certain offenses, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).
For leased and financed cars the insurance coverage required by the leasing company or finance company (lien holder) goes beyond the state minimum so to include physical damage by means of comprehensive and collision coverage. In your loan and lease agreements you normally agree to carry these coverages on the cars. The coverages you need to have on your leased and financed cars, above the state’s required coverage, will depend on the agreements you signed and by Florida state law. A lease will typically require 100/300/50 for Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. This coverage is a policy level coverage and all cars on the insurance policy will have to have this level of liability coverage, even if they are not both leased.

If according to the leasing and loan documents you have different requirements you can thus carry different coverages on each car.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that your insurance payment automatically increase if you make a claim? I live in Tampa FL.

Kelly

Tampa, FL

Thanks for asking. No Kelly, your insurance payment does not automatically or immediately increase if you make a claim. Your driving record and claims history will be taken into account when you start a policy or it is time for your policy to be renewed and depending upon your insurance company’s guidelines and rating system your rates may be affected by a claim.
State insurance laws can differ regarding this issue but putting in a claim with your own insurance company can allow insurance companies to increase your rates. Most car insurance carriers use a threshold to determine if automobile activity claims should cause a surcharge or remove a discount. I see that you are located in Tampa, Florida and the Florida Department of Financial Services discusses rating systems of insurers by stating that insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine a policyholder’s likelihood of experiencing an accident or loss. The cost of car insurance for different drivers varies, as the level of risk for the insurance company varies.

Insurance companies consider drivers as higher risks when they have had at fault accident or received convictions for driving violations. Companies may charge such drivers higher rates for car insurance than those with driving records free of accidents and violations. Each company has underwriting guidelines to determine what kind and how many car accidents or violations during a specified period constitute a high-risk driver. So it could be that one claim will not cause your rates to go up but if you have had a lot of claims made in total against your insurance policy then your claims history could cause an overall rating increase.

Tags: auto insurance claims, automobile

Reader’s Question:

In the state of FL, is it mandatory or optional to include my 18 year old teenage daughter in my car insurance policy? She is going off to college in another state and will not be driving my car?

Oliver

Clearwater, FL

Florida insurance companies require you to list all household members with regular access to your cars for rating purposes. In fact, even at the time that your teenage daughter received her driver’s license, you need to inform your car insurance company of your daughter’s licensing. Whether your daughter needs to be included or not in your policy, it is up to the insurance company’s guidelines. Most often than not, car insurance companies will require a licensed child to be on the policy unless you chose to exclude her. Be aware that when you exclude a person from the policy, they would have no insurance coverage extended to them if they were to drive the car and be in an accident.

If your child is away from you and in your case, since she’s attending college in another state, many insurance carriers will work with you on your policy. Some insurance providers will give a reduced auto insurance rate if your child is living away at school which is over 100 miles away. You may need to shop around for another car insurance provider in Clearwater, FL if your insurance company is requiring you to have your daughter added to your policy even if she’s away.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long do I need to have my permit before getting a conditional license in the state of Florida?

Justin

Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) states that to earn an Operator’s License, teens must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner’s license for at least 1 year without any traffic violations.

The state of Florida established the Graduated Licensing System and this program provides young drivers more time to learn all the complex skills needed to drive a car. This program consists of 3 stages beginning with the Learner’s License. Young drivers are required to show responsible driving behaviors in each stage of licensing before advancing to the next.

So after having a learner’s permit for at least a year in the state of Florida the next step is an operator’s license with conditions on it. The restrictions or conditions on this type of driver’s license depends upon your age. To get more information on the graduated licensing system in place in FL you may contact the HSMV directly.

Tags: car, car insurance, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

My sister received a traffic conviction for a DWI arrest and she’s only a teenager, just 17 years old. Can she take a traffic school course online for the state of Florida?

Jess

Orlando, FL

Great question Jess. The state of Florida requires that all new drivers attend a first time driver traffic law and substance abuse course. In addition, every teenage drivers under 18 years old must possess a Learner’s License for one year. There are no exceptions in this law.If a person under 18 years old receives a citation, he/she may attend a state certified traffic school or online course to avoid a conviction or points. Each court independently decides whether a juvenile can or cannot take a traffic school course. If your sister wasn’t specifically permitted by the court, she may have to ask the court’s permission before beginning the course.

Also, if a minor is convicted with a traffic offense such as a DWI while possessing a Learner’s License, the one year period required to hold their Learner’s License will be extended for one year from the date of the conviction or until he/she turns 18 years old, or whichever happens first. If a minor receive 6 points on his/her driving record in a 12 month period, their driving privileges will automatically be restricted to work purposes only for 12 months or until they’re 18. Please keep in mind that additional restrictions may also be applied. If a minor receives additional points during this restricted period, the restriction is extended 90 days for each additional point. If they have a blood alcohol level of .02% or more (applies to those under age 21), an administrative suspension of six months will follow. If the minor neglect to attend the traffic school, the driving privilege is suspended until a proof is provided of attend ding school for 30 consecutive days.