What Automobile Insurance Do I Need?

What automobile insurance do I need?

Here is a handy guide as to what types of insurance that you can buy to cover yourself and your family, in case of an automobile accident in Florida:

Personal Injury Protection

What it covers: ("PIP"): 80 percent of your medical expenses and 60 perfect of your lost wages, if you are in a car accident. It does not matter whose fault the accident was; PIP pays regardless of fault.

PIP usually covers you, your spouse, and the relatives living in your household.

What's available: You are required by Florida law to carry PIP insurance on your vehicle. Many people purchase $10,000 in coverage. You can choose a deductible of $500.00, $1,000.00 or $2,000.00, or no deductible at all.

PIP is required in Florida.

Medical Payments ("Medpay")

What it covers: Medpay covers the 20% of medical bills that PIP does not, and bills greater than $10,000.00, if you choose to pay for such coverage.

What's available: any amount you want to pay for.

Property Damage

What it covers: any damage to another person's vehicle, if the accident is your fault. Like PIP, this coverage is mandatory in Florida.

Bodily Injury

What it covers: if the car accident is your fault, this coverage pays for the pain and suffering of another person. This type of insurance is not required in Florida, but it is a very good idea to have it, to protect your personal assets.

What's available: You can buy different amounts of Bodily Injury coverage; a typical policy provides for $100,000.00

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

What it covers: pays for your pain and suffering if you are hurt by the fault of another driver, and that driver either has no insurance or too little insurance to cover the extent of your injuries.

UM coverage, like PIP, also applies, in some cases, to household relatives, or to other passengers in your car.

What's available: Most people choose UM coverage in the same amount as their Bodily Injury coverage; a typical policy amount would be $100,000.00

Collison

What it covers: damage to your vehicle caused by any car accident, even if the damage is your fault. It is optional in Florida. It often carries a $500 deductible.

What do I do if I am in an accident?

An automobile accident is often a difficult and painful time. Dealing with doctors, insurance forms, and automobile repair can be a nightmare.

The staff at Panter, Panter & Sampedro can help you through this difficult period. Our office helps you to get your car repaired, your medical bills paid, and your life back in order.

The insurance companies often don't want to help you; they want to close the claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. That is why you need a lawyer who is on your side, and has the resources to battle the insurance industry.

An accident need not throw your life into a tailspin. Let us help you recover your health and your well-being.

BRETT PANTER*
MITCHELL PANTER*
DAVID SAMPEDRO
*BOARD CERTIFIED CIVIL TRIAL LAWYERS

Members of the Florida Bar

Members of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Members of Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers

Martindale Hubbell AV Rated

We concentrate our practice on the following areas:

Automobile Negligence
Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Cases
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Products Liability
Medical Malpractice
Aviation Litigation
Maritime/Cruise Ship injuries
Workers Compensation