Fla. Insurers Remind Drivers of Personal Injury Protection Law’s Return

Auto insurers in Florida are reminding drivers that Florida law will once again require drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Companies are sending notices to policyholders informing them of legislative changes that restore the mandatory PIP coverage. Insurers also remind drivers that they don’t have to wait until the first of the year to reinstate PIP coverage if they elected to drop the protection during the three-month period when the old law mandating coverage stood in repeal.

As part of the legislation restoring PIP coverage, insurance companies are required to notify policyholders of how they will be impacted by the mandatory restoration of PIP/no-fault on Jan. 1. The notice must clearly inform the policyholder:

•That beginning on Jan. 1, 2008, Florida law requires drivers to maintain PIP insurance coverage which pays covered medical expenses for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash by the policyholder, passengers, and relatives residing in the policyholder’s household.

•If a policyholder fails to maintain PIP coverage, the State of Florida may suspend the policyholder’s driver’s license and vehicle registration.

•If a policyholder already has personal injury protection coverage, the coverage will be amended effective Jan. 1, to incorporate legally required changes without any additional premium and that the policyholder need take no further action.

The Florida Insurance Council prepared a White Paper entitled, “The Return of Automobile Personal Injury Protection.” The document can be viewed on the FIC Web site, www.flains.org.

Source: Florida Insurance Council

Topics Florida Carriers Personal Auto