Legally Reviewed by Frank Marsalisi on August 12, 2026
Florida’s minimum car insurance laws can be confusing after an accident, especially when you are hurt, your car is damaged, and insurance companies are already calling.
Here is the simple version: Florida drivers are generally required to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) to register a vehicle, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Lawmakers have repeatedly proposed doing away with Florida’s no-fault system in favor of mandatory bodily injury coverage, most recently in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, but as of this writing none of those bills have become law. The $10,000/$10,000 minimum below is still what Florida requires today.
That may sound like protection. After a serious crash, it may feel more like a starting point.
What Does PIP Cover After a Florida Car Accident?
Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own PIP insurance usually pays first for certain medical expenses and lost wages, no matter who caused the crash.
PIP can help cover:
- Medical treatment
- A portion of lost income
- Certain accident-related expenses
But PIP is limited. PIP coverage is generally up to $10,000, minus any deductible, and injured people must usually receive initial medical care within 14 days of the accident to qualify for benefits.
That 14-day rule matters. Waiting around to “see if it gets better” is not a plan. It is how people accidentally make their own claim harder.
What Does Property Damage Liability Cover?
Property Damage Liability pays for damage you cause to someone else’s property, such as another vehicle, fence, building, or roadside structure.
Florida’s minimum required PDL coverage is $10,000.
The problem is obvious: many vehicles cost far more than $10,000 to repair or replace. So while minimum coverage may satisfy Florida law, it does not always come close to covering the real damage after a crash.
Does Florida Require Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?
For most standard drivers, Florida does not require Bodily Injury Liability coverage just to register a personal vehicle. Many drivers are surprised to learn this after a serious accident.
This matters because Bodily Injury Liability is the coverage that may help pay for injuries a driver causes to someone else. If the at-fault driver only has minimum coverage, there may be limited insurance available for your injuries beyond your own PIP benefits.
That is one reason uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can be important. It may help protect you when the other driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, and it is worth asking your own insurer about adding it if your policy does not already include it.
This gap is especially relevant if you were hurt as a motorcyclist or bicyclist, since PIP generally does not extend the same way to non-motorists and riders often rely more heavily on the at-fault driver’s liability coverage.
What Should You Do After an Accident in Florida?
After a crash, protect yourself early.
Get medical care. Report the crash. Take photos. Save insurance letters. Do not give a recorded statement without understanding what you are being asked. And do not assume the other driver has enough coverage just because they were “insured.”
Minimum insurance is exactly that: minimum.
Talk to a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg or anywhere in Tampa Bay, Florida’s minimum insurance laws may affect your claim, your medical bills, and your options for recovery.
Marsalisi Law helps injured people understand what insurance coverage may be available after a crash and what steps to take before the insurance company starts shaping the story. Contact us for a free consultation to review your policy and your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida’s Minimum Insurance Laws
What is the minimum car insurance required in Florida?
Florida requires at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability to register a vehicle. Bodily injury liability coverage is not required for most standard drivers, though it becomes required after certain violations.
Is Florida still a no-fault insurance state?
Yes. Despite repeated legislative proposals to repeal the no-fault system, Florida’s PIP-based no-fault law remains in effect, and the $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL minimums still apply to vehicle registration.
What happens if the at-fault driver only has minimum coverage?
If the at-fault driver has no bodily injury liability coverage or only a small policy, your own PIP benefits may not fully cover your medical bills and lost wages. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, if you carry it, may help fill that gap.
How soon do I need medical care to use my PIP benefits?
Florida law generally requires that you receive initial medical care within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP benefits. Waiting longer than that can jeopardize your ability to use this coverage.
Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?
You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and doing so without understanding the questions can hurt your claim. Speaking with an attorney first can help you understand what you are being asked and why.
About the Attorney
Founder, Marsalisi Law
Frank P. Marsalisi is a bilingual trial lawyer and St. Petersburg native who founded Marsalisi Law to represent people hurt in car, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents throughout the Tampa Bay area. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008.
