The ISO personal auto policy is covered in the national guide. Florida's auto rules come from the Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law (Fla. Stat. 627.730 to 627.7405), the Financial Responsibility Law (Chapter 324), the UM statute (627.727) and the cancellation statute (627.728). Florida is a no-fault (PIP) state. PIP is still in force: the 2026 bills to repeal it did not pass.

What a Florida car owner must carry

• To register a private passenger vehicle, an owner needs:
  • $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
  • $10,000 property damage liability (324.022, 627.733)
• The property damage requirement can also be met with at least $30,000 of combined single limit.
• Bodily injury liability is not required just to register. It becomes required under the Financial Responsibility Law after certain events, such as an at-fault crash. The limits then are $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident (324.021(7)).
• Proof of financial responsibility is shown with an SR-22 certificate.
• DUI convictions require 100/300/50 liability for at least three years (324.023).
• Lapses: failing to keep the required coverage can mean suspension of the license and registration, plus reinstatement fees (324.0221).
• Motorcycles: the no-fault law applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, so motorcycles aren't required to carry PIP (627.732(3)). A rider over 21 may ride without a helmet if he carries at least $10,000 of medical coverage (316.211).

PIP (627.736 and 627.739)

• Medical: 80% of reasonable medical expenses, up to $10,000. The full $10,000 is available only for an emergency medical condition. Without that diagnosis, medical benefits are capped at $2,500.
• Disability: 60% of lost gross income, within the same $10,000 limit.
• Death: a separate $5,000 benefit.
• 14-day rule: the injured person must receive initial treatment within 14 days of the accident.
• Who is covered:
  • the named insured and resident relatives
  • other occupants of the insured vehicle
  • others struck by the vehicle while not in a self-propelled vehicle
• Deductibles: insurers must offer $250, $500 and $1,000 deductibles at application and renewal. A deductible applies only to the named insured and resident dependent relatives.

The tort threshold

• PIP limits lawsuits. A person can sue for pain and suffering only if the injury meets the threshold (627.737(2)):
  • significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
  • a permanent injury
  • significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • death
• Fault rule: Florida uses modified comparative negligence. A plaintiff more than 50% at fault recovers nothing (768.81).

Uninsured motorist (627.727)

• Insurers must offer UM equal to the bodily injury limits.
• A named insured may reject UM or choose lower limits, but only in writing, and the choice binds all insureds.
• UM may be sold stacked or non-stacked, with a required disclosure explaining the difference.

Cancellation and nonrenewal (627.728)

• Allowed reasons: once a policy has been in force 60 days, it can be canceled only for:
  • nonpayment
  • material misrepresentation or fraud
  • suspension of the license or registration of the named insured or a household or customary driver
• Notice periods:
  • 45 days to cancel, with reasons, sent to the first-named insured and the agent
  • 10 days for nonpayment
  • 45 days to nonrenew, with reasons

Residual market

• The Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (FAJUA) covers drivers who can't buy coverage voluntarily (627.351(1)).
• A person placed with the plan must be told in writing within 10 days that the coverage is through the plan, not the private market.

Exam traps

• To register: PIP $10,000 + PD $10,000. Bodily injury liability of 10/20 is required only when the Financial Responsibility Law is triggered.
• PIP pays 80% of medical and 60% of lost income, plus a $5,000 death benefit. Without an emergency medical condition, medical is capped at $2,500. Treatment must start within 14 days.
• Notice periods are 45 days to cancel or nonrenew, and 10 days for nonpayment.
• A plaintiff more than 50% at fault recovers nothing.