Collision insurance is a type of car insurance that covers the damages to your car when you get into a collision with another vehicle. This type of policy is usually required by lenders when financing and leasing a vehicle. It’s important to have collision coverage if you are at fault in an accident because the other driver’s insurance will not cover the damages to your car.
Is Collision Insurance Required in Florida?
In short, the answer is no. Florida drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage. If the other driver is at-fault, their property damage insurance would pay for the damages to your car.
If you are the at-fault driver, collision insurance pays for damages to your vehicle. While not required, it is good coverage to add to your policy. It can give you peace of mind knowing that your car is protected from damage out of your control.
How to Get Collision Insurance Coverage on Your Car Insurance Policy
If you are financing or leasing a car, your lender will require that you have collision coverage on your insurance policy. You can purchase and add collision coverage to your policy if you own your vehicle outright.
To add collision coverage to your auto insurance policy, you must contact your insurance company and ask them to add it. The cost of collision coverage will vary depending on your car, your driving history, and the amount of coverage you want.
What Does Collision Insurance Cover?
Collision insurance covers the damages to your car when you are involved in a collision with another vehicle or object. If your accident involved any of the following, you could receive coverage from collision insurance to help pay for property damage:
- Running into a building, pothole, or other obstructions that cause damage to your car
- Hitting a stationary object such as a tree or telephone pole
- Collisions with another car
- Accidently backing into another car in a parking lot
The list above is not exhaustive but gives you an idea of what type of accident collision insurance covers.
What is Excluded Under a Collision Insurance Policy?
Collision insurance does not cover the damages to your car if you are involved in an accident with an animal or damage that is caused by natural disasters such as a flood or hurricane. It also does not cover the cost of repairs if your car is vandalized or stolen. To get these accidents covered, you will need comprehensive auto insurance.
How Does Collision Insurance Work?
Collision insurance works by reimbursing you for the cost of repairs to your car up to your policy limit. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, collision insurance will pay you the market value of your vehicle up to your policy’s limit.
It’s important to remember that collision insurance does not cover the damages to the other driver’s car or any other property damage.
What Is the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?
Collision coverage only covers the damages to your car in an accident. Comprehensive insurance coverage covers the damages to your vehicle from various events, including theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
It is best to have both comprehensive and collision insurance on your policy to provide the best protection.
How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?
The cost of adding collision insurance to your policy varies depending on many factors, including the make and model of your car, your driving history, your deductible, and the amount of coverage you want.
What Type of Auto Insurance is Required in Florida?
In Florida, drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance. PIP insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limit if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. PDL insurance covers the damages to the other driver’s car if you are at fault in an accident.
Other Coverage Options to Add to Your Policy
In addition to collision insurance, there are a few other coverage options you may want to consider adding to your policy. These include:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage: This type of coverage will pay for damages to your car that are not caused by a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage will protect you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages.
- Roadside Assistance: This type of coverage will help pay for towing, flat tires, and running out of gas.
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: Bodily Injury Liability Coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages if you’re responsible for injuring someone else in a motor vehicle accident. It will also help cover your legal fees if the other driver sues you.
- Medical Payment Coverage or Medpay: Medpay is often used to supplement health insurance or PIP coverage. It covers 100% of your medical bills up to your coverage limit.
These are just a few of the coverage options available to you. For the best protection in an accident, it is best to have as much of each policy as you can afford.
Hire an Attorney for Your Florida Car Accident
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we are committed to fighting for your fair recovery. We strive to help injured individuals and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed, secure the full, fair recovery they are owed. We offer dedicated legal representation for car accident victims and bicycle, rideshare, motorcycle, and semi-truck accident victims.
If you feel you have been the victim of a car accident through no fault of your own. Our attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the legal process and work toward securing the maximum compensation you are owed. Call (727) 784-8191 or contact us online to get started on receiving maximum compensation for your personal injury case.
