Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage?
- Why is the uninsured driver rate so high in Broward County?
- How does Florida’s No-Fault (PIP) insurance fall short in a serious accident?
- What specific costs does Uninsured Motorist coverage pay for?
- Does UM coverage protect me if I am a pedestrian or cyclist?
- What is the difference between "Stacked" and "Non-Stacked" UM coverage?
- How will the July 2026 Florida insurance law change impact UM needs?
- What are the risks of relying on the other driver's insurance in Broward?
- How can I check if I currently have enough UM protection?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Don't Leave Your Safety to Chance!
Key Takeaways
- The Risk: Broward is a high-traffic area where 1 in 5 drivers might not have insurance.
- The Gap: Standard “PIP” insurance only pays $10,000, which is very low for bad accidents.
- The Solution: UM coverage acts like the auto insurance the other person forgot to buy.
- The Change: Florida laws change in 2026, making it even more important to check your policy now.
What is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is a choice you make on your car insurance to protect your own body and your bank account. If a driver hits you and they do not have any insurance, your UM coverage will pay for your medical bills. It also pays for the money you lose if you miss work because you are hurt. It is like buying a backup plan for yourself. Most parts of your insurance are there to pay for the other person if you make a mistake. But UM is different. It is there just for you. It covers your hospital stays, your physical therapy, and even the pain you feel after a bad crash.
Why is the uninsured driver rate so high in Broward County?
Broward County is a very busy place with millions of people. It is also a very expensive place to live. Because of this, many people stop paying for their car insurance so they can pay for their house or food. This is a big problem on roads like I-95 or the Turnpike. Since there are so many cars and the cost of living is so high, the number of drivers without insurance is higher here than in many other states. If you drive in cities like Sunrise, Davie, or Coral Springs, you are sharing the road with people who may not have a single dollar of insurance. If they hit you, they have no way to pay for your help.
How does Florida’s No-Fault (PIP) insurance fall short in a serious accident?
Florida uses a system called “No-Fault” insurance. This includes something called PIP. PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection. Every driver must have $10,000 of it. But $10,000 does not go very far today. One night in a hospital in Fort Lauderdale can cost more than $15,000. If you have a broken bone or need surgery, PIP will be gone in minutes. Once that $10,000 is used up, you have to pay the rest yourself. The only way to stop this is to have UM coverage. UM picks up where PIP leaves off. It pays for the big bills that would otherwise ruin your savings.
What specific costs does Uninsured Motorist coverage pay for?
UM coverage is very helpful because it pays for things that regular insurance might ignore. It pays for your current doctor bills, but it also pays for doctors you might need in the future. Imagine you are a teacher in Coral Springs and you get hit by a driver with no insurance. You might need six months of physical therapy to walk again. PIP would run out in the first week. But UM would keep paying for your therapy sessions. It also pays for “pain and suffering.” This is money given to you because your life has become harder and more painful because of the accident. Without this coverage, you would have to sue the other driver. But if they don’t have insurance, they probably don’t have any money for you to take anyway.
Does UM coverage protect me if I am a pedestrian or cyclist?
Yes! This is one of the best parts about UM coverage in Florida. You do not have to be inside your car for it to work. Imagine you are walking your dog in your neighborhood or riding your bike to the beach in Dania. If a car with no insurance hits you, your own car insurance policy will still cover you. Broward County has a lot of people walking and biking, and it can be dangerous. Knowing that your UM coverage follows you even when you are on foot gives you a lot of peace of mind. It protects you from hit-and-run drivers, too. If someone hits you and drives away, your UM coverage treats them like an uninsured driver.
What is the difference between “Stacked” and “Non-Stacked” UM coverage?
“Stacked” coverage is like having a bigger shield. If you have two cars and each has $50,000 of UM coverage, “stacking” them lets you combine them. This gives you $100,000 of protection. You can use that full $100,000 for just one accident. “Non-stacked” means you can only use the $50,000 that belongs to the car you were driving. Stacking is a great way to get a lot more protection for just a small amount of extra money each month. It is usually the best choice for families with more than one car.
How will the July 2026 Florida insurance law change impact UM needs?
Starting on July 1, 2026, Florida is changing how auto insurance works. The state is getting rid of PIP and moving to an “At-Fault” system. This means the person who caused the crash is responsible for the bills. While this sounds good, it actually makes UM even more important. If the person who hits you has no insurance under this new system, there is no PIP to catch the first $10,000 of your bills. You will be starting from zero. Getting UM coverage now ensures that you are ready for this big change when it happens in the middle of 2026.
What are the risks of relying on the other driver’s insurance in Broward?
Relying on someone else’s insurance is a big gamble. Many people only buy the smallest amount of insurance the law allows. In Broward, the roads are fast and accidents can be very bad. A “minimum” policy might only pay for $10,000 of injuries. If your hospital bill is $50,000, the other person’s insurance will stop paying after the first $10,000. You would be left with a $40,000 debt. UM coverage stops this from happening. It makes sure you have enough money to get better, no matter what the other driver did.
How can I check if I currently have enough UM protection?
To check your coverage, look at the “Declarations Page” of your insurance policy. This is the page that lists all the costs and types of coverage you have. Look for the words “Uninsured Motorist.” If you don’t see them, or if the number next to them is $0, you are not protected. A good rule is to make your UM limit the same as your “Bodily Injury” limit. This means you are protecting yourself and your family just as much as you are protecting the people you might accidentally hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uninsured Motorist coverage required by law in Florida?
No, it is not required by law, but it is one of the most important coverages you can buy. Insurance companies must offer it to you in writing. If you decide not to buy it, you have to sign a special form saying you are giving up your right to this protection.
Does UM coverage pay for the damage to my car?
No. Standard UM coverage is for your body and your health (medical bills and lost wages). To fix your car after a hit-and-run or a crash with an uninsured driver, you need “Collision” coverage or a specific type called “Uninsured Motorist Property Damage.”
If I have good health insurance, do I still need UM?
Yes. Health insurance pays for doctors, but it does not pay for your lost wages if you can’t work. It also does not pay for your pain and suffering. Plus, many health insurance plans will ask you to pay them back if you get a settlement later. UM is much better at covering all the hidden costs of a car crash.
Can my insurance rates go up if I use my UM coverage?
In Florida, an insurance company usually cannot raise your rates just because you used your UM coverage for an accident that was not your fault. You are paying for this protection, and the law protects you from being punished for using it when someone else hits you.
What happens if I am in a hit-and-run accident?
In Florida, a hit-and-run driver is treated the same as an uninsured driver. If someone hits your car and flees the scene, your UM coverage will pay for your injuries just as if the driver had stayed and admitted they had no insurance.
Conclusion
Driving in Broward County is a part of daily life, but it comes with risks that are higher than almost anywhere else in the country. With one in five drivers lacking insurance and a major law change coming in July 2026, you cannot afford to leave your safety to chance. PIP is simply not enough to cover a serious injury in today’s world. By adding Uninsured Motorist coverage to your policy, you are taking control of your financial future and making sure your family is protected—no matter who else is on the road.
Don’t Leave Your Safety to Chance!
Are you sure you have the right protection? Most people don’t realize they are missing Uninsured Motorist coverage until it’s already too late. At Finney Insurance Corp, we live and drive in Broward just like you. We know the risks of I-95 and the Sawgrass, and we know how to build a policy that actually works when you need it.
Contact Finney Insurance Corp today for a free policy review. We will look at your current coverage and show you exactly where the gaps are. Let us help you drive with peace of mind.
