It is estimated that a significant portion of the driving population in the State of Florida does not have the basic liability coverages as required by Florida law. Uninsured motorist coverage can be a safety net to compensate a motorist who is injured as a result of the negligence of an uninsured/ underinsured driver.

Florida statute 627.727 requires auto insurers to extend the option of purchasing uninsured motorist coverage to all consumers of auto insurance in this state. Only when uninsured motorist coverage is rejected in writing is it not considered a part of the coverages purchased. Your agent must procure a written rejection of uninsured motorist coverage from you prior to delivering your policy. We recommend reviewing your present coverage to determine whether you have uninsured motorist coverage and if not, whether it was offered to you and a written rejection of it effected.

The policy limits for uninsured motorist coverage are as low as $10,000.00 but in any event shall not be less than the limits of bodily injury liability insurance purchased by the named insured; so that if a person buys $100,000.00 in bodily injury liability coverage, the corresponding policy limits for the uninsured motorist coverage will likewise be $100,000.00.

Purchasing uninsured motorist coverage is in effect buying a policy to compensate oneself for injuries sustained at the hands of an uninsured/underinsured driver. Our experience indicates the purchase of uninsured motorist coverage are dollars well spent. We hope that this informational update has been valuable to you. Please call if you should have any questions on this subject.

Sincerely,
Willie J. Walker, Esquire