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UM vs Bodily Injury Insurance in a Florida Car Accident

Know the Difference Between UM and Bodily Injury Insurance – and Why Each Is Important.

Florida’s only required forms of automobile insurance coverage is Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance, and property damage liability (PDL).

If you are injured in a car crash, PIP covers 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000 and a $5,000 death benefit. In an auto accident involving serious or permanent injuries, PIP regularly falls short of adequately covering damages.

Because PIP and PDL insurance is all a person needs to be able to legally drive in Florida, many people wrongly assume that must be all they need. As Orlando auto accident lawyers, we see many drivers and injury victims suffer, because they do not have the protections they thought they had.

Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376)
.

Further insurance coverage types are available to Florida drivers, and are purchased voluntarily. These important consumer protections include:

  • Uninsured Motorist / Underinsured Motorist (UM)
  • Bodily Injury Liability Insurance (BIL)

Uninsured Motorist / Underinsured Motorist (UM)

You buy Florida UM insurance coverage to protect yourself if you are injured.

If you are hurt in an accident where another driver is responsible for the accident but that driver either has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages – you can file a claim on your own UM insurance to pay for personal injury damages you have sustained.

Florida does not require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured (UM) coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

You buy bodily injury liability (aka BIL or BI) coverage to pay for serious injury or death to others in an accident where your vehicle is involved, and you are at fault to some extent for causing the accident.

Besides covering you (the policy holder) for liability, BIL insurance covers injuries that relatives who live with you, and people who drive your car with your permission, are liable for. BIL also pays to defend the insured against liability claims.

Damages to injured parties will be covered up to the limit stated in the policy.

Having BIL coverage protects you financially and protects your personal assets if you are sued for damages by an injured party.

On the other hand, if you are seriously injured by another driver and that driver has BIL coverage, you can file a claim under his or her policy.

Florida does not require drivers to carry Bodily Injury Liability coverage (BIL), with one exception: DUI offenders. If a person has been convicted of a DUI, Florida law requires that bodily injury liability is part of his or her policy for a three-year period after the person’s license has been reinstated.

The main difference between UM vs Bodily Injury Insurance is:

  • UM insurance covers personal injury damages that you, the policy holder, suffer in an accident where someone else was liable;
  • BI insurance covers personal injury damages to other injured parties, in an accident where you (the policy holder) were liable.

What if your personal injury damages exceed what an at-fault driver is able to pay?

Due to Florida’s no-fault laws, that is the exact reason it is a good idea to purchase UM insurance. If the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover all damages, you can file a claim under your own uninsured / underinsured motor vehicle coverage.

You may also be able to sue the at-fault driver personally in this case. This decision depends on various factors, one being whether that person has any assets.

Understand Your Options for Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance

It is important to revisit the terms and coverage of your auto insurance policy. You also will benefit by speaking to an experienced Florida car accident lawyer to help you understand the role your insurance (or lack of it) will play in the event of a serious accident. Many factors play into each individual case.

A TK Law attorney will be glad to sit down with you and help you understand the crux of the matter, when it comes down to filing insurance claims, getting just compensation for injuries, as well as protecting yourself in a potential lawsuit.

Also, if you have been in an accident where an uninsured or underinsured driver has caused you injury, we can discuss with you any legal claims you might have against the negligent driver’s insurance as well as your own insurance policy, and other relevant options in your case.

Contact us today for effective representation in any matters relating to auto accidents and other legal issues you face: Call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376)

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During your consultation we’ll review your options and see if we’re a right fit for you.

STEP 3

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If we take on your case, you’ll be represented by the best.

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The Orlando divorce lawyers at TK Law are deeply committed to the individuals and families they serve. We are here to help you resolve each legal concern so you can regain control and move forward with your life. You will also have a steadfast, accomplished advocate in your corner to fight for what matters most if a dispute goes to trial.

We know how overwhelming conflict can be and how painful it is to see a marriage end. We will guide you through this difficult process before, during and after your divorce.

Contact our offices today to schedule a confidential consultation with one or our family law attorneys, or call us at 855-572-6376.

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Roy P.
Mar. 2024
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Gastell and Kayla were awesome! They helped me make it through a very challenging time in my life with kindness and compassion. They were always available to answer my questions and kept me up to date. Their counsel was extremely helpful in aiding a resolution that I am very satisfied with.
Carmen D.
Mar. 2024
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I give this law firm a 5 star. Ray and Janelise helped us with our probate issue and made the process a lot easier for us to finalized all of it. We're very thankful to this law office and recommend them for any legal issues.Thank you Janelisse and Ray and the entire office .
Alysia T.
Jan. 2024
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I am thankful to Janelise and Kayla at TK Law for a fantastic job. Kayla guided me through every step of my divorce process. She is patient, professional, and honest. I highly recommend them!
Chris O.
Dec. 2023
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This was first experience hiring a law firm and I am very happy that I hired TK Law. My attorney Janelise and Paralegal Kayla were kind, knowledgeable and made the process easy. They were quick to respond when I needed revisions to my document and the final outcome was perfect. If I ever need legal help in the future, I will not hesitate to contact TK Law again.

*Top-rating from clients and award publications such as Orlando Weekly, US News & more.​

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We offer payment plans, accept credit cards, are available for evening appointments and our main office is conveniently located right off of I-4, between 436 and 434. For immediate help call: 407-834-4847.

Disclaimer

The information found here is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any situation or individual case. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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Phone: 407-834-4847
999 Douglas Ave #3333, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

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Orange & Seminole County, Florida.

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