Auto Insurance

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The Basic Components of Auto Insurance in West Palm Beach, Florida:

PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY (PDL)
This coverage pays for certain damage (up to the limit, or maximum amount of benefits stated in the policy) that you or anyone covered under your policy cause to another person's property through the use of an automobile, if you are legally liable. The damage may involve a parked, running or rolling automobile. The term property is not limited to another vehicle, and may include a fence, telephone pole, building or animal. This coverage may apply even if you drive someone else's automobile, or if someone else is using your vehicle - check your policy to find out. PDL coverage does not require a deductible, but some insurance companies offer one.
 

PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION OR PIP (also called no-fault coverage)
Lawmakers designed PIP to help reduce the need for Floridians to sue to cover injuries resulting from automobile accidents. In Florida, this coverage protects you while in your own or someone else's vehicle. It also protects you as a pedestrian or bicyclist if you suffer an injury in an accident involving a motor vehicle while in Florida. PIP covers only you and other members of your household for accidents occurring outside Florida but within the United States or Canada. In such cases, you must be driving or riding in your own vehicle. PIP does not cover persons other than you and members of your household.
If you get into an automobile accident, PIP covers you up to the limits of your PIP coverage, regardless of fault. The "at fault" party is the person(s) determined to be the cause of the accident. Your PIP will cover your child, if that child is a resident of your household, and other resident members of your household. It also covers your child if he or she suffers an injury while riding a school bus. For accidents occurring in Florida, PIP covers you and members of your household who do not own a vehicle of their own, certain passengers who lack PIP, and certain licensed drivers who drive your vehicle with your permission. People riding in your vehicle who carry PIP will receive coverage under their own PIP for their injuries. Your PIP will cover a person injured in your vehicle who otherwise lacks access to PIP or does not own a vehicle. However, your PIP will not cover an injured person who owns a vehicle but lacks PIP.
PIP pays:
 
  • 80 percent of medically necessary expenses
  • 60 percent of lost wages
  • 100 percent of replacement services such as child care, housekeeping or yard work and
  • Up to $5,000 for death benefits
To reduce fraud, Florida law now requires that PIP only pay for care that is lawfully provided, supervised, ordered, or prescribed by a physician, an osteopath, a dentist, a chiropractor, or are provided by the following:
 
  • A hospital or ambulatory surgical center
  • A person or entity licensed to provide emergency transportation and treatment
  • Certain entities wholly owned by doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, or dentists
  • An entity wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by a hospital or hospitals
  • Certain health care clinics
For a higher premium - the charge for insurance based on the type and amount of coverage - you may:
 
  • Amend your PIP to increase medical expenses to 100 percent and lost wages to 80 percent; or
  • Increase your minimum limits from $10,000 to $20,000 or more
Some companies do not offer increased limits, but will offer other options.