Florida Auto Insurance Requirements Explained for Orlando-Area Drivers
If you drive I-4 through downtown Orlando, the 408 at rush hour or US 441 through Apopka, you have probably had a close call or two. Add tourists in rental cars on International Drive, new residents still learning the toll roads and summer afternoon downpours, and it is a good idea to know exactly what your auto policy does and does not do.
Florida's rules are different from most states. Here is a plain-English explanation of what the law requires, what it does not, and what we suggest Orlando-area drivers think about beyond the minimum.
What Florida Requires: PIP and Property Damage Liability
Florida law requires two coverages on any vehicle with four or more wheels registered in the state:
$10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
$10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL)
You must show proof of both when you register a vehicle, and you must keep coverage continuously for as long as the registration is active, even if the car is parked in the garage or does not run. If you plan to stop driving a car, turn in the license plate before you cancel the insurance.
As of October 2026, these rules are still in effect. Bills to repeal Florida's no-fault system were filed in the 2026 legislative session, but they died in committee and did not become law.
How PIP and No-Fault Work
Florida is a no-fault state. After most crashes, your own PIP coverage pays first for your injuries, no matter who caused the crash. PIP generally pays:
80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses, up to your limit
60% of lost income if you cannot work because of your injuries
A death benefit of $5,000
Two rules catch people off guard:
The 14-day rule. To use PIP medical benefits, you must get initial treatment within 14 days of the crash. Go get checked even if you feel fine.
The $2,500 cap. If a qualified medical provider does not determine that you had an emergency medical condition, PIP medical benefits are limited to $2,500 instead of the full $10,000.
What Florida Does Not Require: Bodily Injury Liability
This is the part that surprises people moving here from other states. Florida does not require most drivers to carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL), the coverage that pays for injuries you cause to other people.
That creates two problems:
If you cause a serious crash and only carry the minimum, you have no coverage for the other driver's injuries beyond what their PIP pays. They can come after your savings, your wages and other assets.
If someone else hits you, there is a real chance they carry little or no Bodily Injury coverage.
Bodily Injury Liability can become required after certain events. For example, drivers convicted of DUI must carry at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per crash in bodily injury coverage and $50,000 in property damage, and file proof (often called an FR-44) for three years. Certain crashes and violations can also trigger a requirement to carry bodily injury coverage and file proof with the state.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage helps pay for your injuries when an at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. In Florida, if you buy Bodily Injury Liability, insurers must offer UM, and you have to reject it in writing if you do not want it.
Given how many Florida drivers carry only the minimum, UM is one of the most important coverages to discuss. We wrote more about it in our post on uninsured motorist coverage in Florida.
What Happens If Your Insurance Lapses
Florida insurers report cancellations to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you let required coverage lapse, the state can suspend your driver license and registration for up to three years. To reinstate, you will need proof of new coverage and a reinstatement fee: $150 the first time, $250 the second time and $500 for later reinstatements within three years. There is no hardship license for insurance suspensions.
New to Florida? Watch the Deadlines
Central Florida gets new residents every day. Once you start working here, enroll your kids in public school or otherwise establish residency, you have 10 days to register your vehicle in Florida, and you need a Florida policy to do it. Even nonresidents whose car has been in Florida more than 90 days in the past year must carry Florida-required coverage.
Other Coverages Worth a Look
Collision and comprehensive. Usually required if you finance or lease. Comprehensive covers theft, hail, falling limbs and flood damage to your car.
Medical payments. Can help with the 20% of medical bills PIP does not pay.
Rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. Handy when your only car is in the shop.
A Note on Fault and Lawsuits
Florida changed its negligence rules in 2023. In most cases, if you are found more than 50% at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages from the other driver. The deadline to file most negligence lawsuits is now generally two years. If you are hurt in a crash, talk to an attorney about your specific situation.
Florida Auto Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance in Florida?
Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability on registered vehicles with four or more wheels. Bodily Injury Liability is not required for most drivers, but it is strongly worth considering.
Did Florida get rid of PIP in 2026?
No. Bills to repeal no-fault were filed in 2026 but died in committee. PIP is still required as of October 2026.
Do I have to keep insurance on a car I am not driving?
Yes, as long as it is registered. Turn in the plate before canceling coverage to avoid a suspension.
Talk with an Orlando-Area Agent
Fortrest Insurance is an independent agency serving Orange, Seminole and Lake Counties and The Villages. We will explain your options in plain English and compare coverage from more than one carrier.
Call 689-375-6407 or email info@fortrestinsurance.com.
This article is general information about Florida law as of October 2026. It is not legal advice.
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