Reader question:

Do I need Florida no fault insurance?

Mark

Thanks for asking, Mark.

A month ago, almost, the Florida no fault insurance laws sunset, and it wasn’t until a week or so ago that the law makers in Florida came to a decision on whether or not they would renew it. It is renewed, and with reforms, but the renewal will not take effect until January of 2008. This leaves policy holders here to choose whether or not that want Florida no fault insurance during the interim.

There are some definite positive aspects to carrying personal injury protection and property damage liability, although in some cases it will not be necessary. I would say that it would be best to carry it for convenience sake, and also to save yourself from having to deal with a court battle if you get into an accident in which someone else is at fault. However, I can’t fault you for wanting to save money.

If you have health insurance, then Florida no fault insurance might not be necessary for you. As it is, when you go to the doctor or the hospital they will ask for your health insurance before they ask for your Florida no fault insurance. If you have personal injury liability, though, you will be covered for more than just your medical expenses. You will also have more coverage for things such as therapy for serious injuries, and, unlike with health insurance, you will be able to make a claim for lost wages under Florida no fault insurance.

As for everybody else, there are many companies that renew policies automatically and so took the Florida no fault insurance coverage off for those policies that renewed after the Florida no fault insurance laws sunset. If you want to continue carrying personal injury protection, then you might have to call your company personally and request it.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.