The Ins and Outs of Florida Motorcycle Insurance Laws

Florida’s motorcycle insurance rules are different from other places. Car and truck drivers need to have PIP insurance, but motorcycle riders don’t.

If someone riding a motorcycle gets hurt in an accident, they have to take the person who caused the accident to court to get money for their injuries. That’s why it’s really important for motorcycle riders in Florida to have good insurance.

Liability Requirements

Florida’s motorcycle insurance laws are complex and differ by the number of wheels on a vehicle. Motorcyclists do not have to carry insurance to register their motorcycles or drive them on state roads. Still, they can face stiff penalties if they get into an accident and cannot prove financial responsibility.

Florida requires drivers of vehicles with four or more wheels to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and property damage liability (PDL) coverage. Those same drivers must alsoare also required to have uninsured motorist coverage, which helps pay for medical expenses when they are injured in accidents caused by people without insurance.

Unlike auto insurance, motorcyclists can choose not to have bodily injury liability coverage, although it is highly recommended that they do. Riders may be able to combine their UM coverage with their car insurance, which is known as “stacking.” This can help cover the cost of serious injuries incurred in crashes caused by uninsured drivers.

Coverage Requirements

Florida is one of the few states that doesn’t require motorist coverage to register a motorcycle. Instead, individuals can complete a certificate of self-insurance or make a cash deposit to show they have the financial means to cover any damages that might arise in a crash.

However, this option can leave you vulnerable if you’re hurt in an accident caused by someone who has no insurance or little coverage. Most motorcyclists rely on PIP coverage, or no-fault insurance, to pay for their medical bills and other losses.

In most other states, those driving vehicles with four or more wheels must carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. Florida doesn’t have that requirement, and the state doesn’t even have a PIP law for motorcycles. Some insurers may offer so-called PIP-type coverage for motorcycles, but this coverage is governed only by the insurance contract and not by Florida’s no-fault laws. This needs to be clarified for new bikers.

Uninsured Motorist Requirements

In Florida, motorcyclists are not required to get uninsured motorist coverage. However, it is often a good idea for riders to purchase this type of policy. This coverage helps protect them if an at-fault driver hurts them without insurance or very limited coverage.

Unlike drivers of four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycle riders cannot obtain PIP (personal injury protection) coverage as part of their insurance policies. Although some insurers may offer a PIP type of coverage for motorcycles, this is not regulated by Florida law and is governed by the contract signed with the insurer.

Since most crashes involving motorcycles result in serious injuries and high medical bills, motorcyclists must have sufficient uninsured motorist coverage. It is also a good idea to stack motorcycle UM coverage with their car or home insurance, which can reduce their premiums. It is possible to self-insure for a motorcycle in Florida by submitting a certificate of financial responsibility or an alternative method, such as proof of health coverage.

Un-Helmetted Rider Requirements

In Florida, most drivers of vehicles with four wheels must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, a type of no-fault insurance that pays for crash-related medical bills. However, this type of coverage isn’t available to motorcyclists because it only applies to cars and trucks with four wheels.

This lack of PIP coverage makes liability insurance necessary for motorcyclists who don’t want to risk high-cost medical expenses if they get in an accident with an uninsured driver. Additionally, many police officers may ask motorcycle riders to provide proof of financial responsibility during a traffic stop, and those needing more coverage could have their licenses, tags, or registration suspended.

In short, the state requires motorcyclists to obtain and maintain bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for three years. This insurance requirement is more relaxed than those for passenger vehicle drivers, but it still addresses liability concerns similarly.