Collision coverage is insurance coverage you buy to protect your own car from property damage due to an accident, no matter who is deemed at fault for the accident. In Florida, the insurance provider of the party responsible for damaging your vehicle is supposed to take care of any damages done to your car. Florida is a no-fault state, which means that technically every driver on the road is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and a minimum of $10,000 in Property Damage insurance coverage. However, since Florida requires everybody to have PD coverage, some people with older vehicles with no financing take “collision” out of their policy to save money. A lot of people assume they are safe drivers and will “self-insure” against any potential damage, holding somebody else responsible if that person is at fault. While it sounds smart, in reality it is a terrible idea that costs Florida drivers a lot of money every year.
Why You Need Collision Coverage
If somebody hits your car and they don’t have any insurance coverage, your only option is to individually sue that person and try to get a judgement against them. A judgement only amounts to what can be enforced; otherwise it’s just a piece of paper stating what you’re entitled to. The execution of that judgement and trying to collect money can be extremely difficult, and the process can drag on for many months. You could very easily end up spending much more than what it would cost to repair your car in legal fees alone. You may also end up having a totaled car and not being in a position to buy another vehicle right away, leaving you stranded. The most effective way to prevent this situation from occurring is to always have collision coverage in your car insurance policy. IF you are hit by somebody who doesn't have any coverage, or has inadequate courage, you’ll have a way to get your vehicle fixed or replaced.
There are also other less direct benefits of having collision coverage that can come in handy. For example, if you don’t carry collision coverage and you get involved in an accident with disputed liability, you’ll have to fight an insurance company all on your own. If you do have collision coverage, you’ll have your own insurer and all their resources behind you to fight the other side and get the best outcome for you. Moreover, the outcome of the liability decision can also be employed in your case when negotiating an injury claim.
Contact Us Today
Driving without collision coverage is essentially gambling with your money (and vehicle). It’s always a coin toss when you get into a collision whether or not the other person has insurance, so you should do your best to be prepared. If you or somebody close to you get into an auto accident, you need an experienced auto accident lawyer on your side. Call Mantia Law Firm to schedule an appointment today.
