Florida has the highest car insurance rates in the country. According to MoneyGeek.com, Florida traffic accidents are the main reason car insurance rates are so high in the Sunshine State. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that there are about 400,000 traffic accidents in Florida every year, resulting in nearly 3,800 deaths and more than 250,000 car accident injuries.
Insure.com reports that average car insurance premiums in Florida are $2,560 per year – about 23% higher than last year, and the highest in the country. By comparison, the national average is $1682, and Ohio has the lowest car insurance rates in America at about $1,000 a year.
Some experts cite the state’s “no-fault” car insurance law as a possible factor driving the increase in premiums. Florida is one of 18 states that have a version of “no-fault” car insurance. Under the system, drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. When someone is injured in a car accident, the PIP coverage on their auto insurance policy covers up to 80% of medical expenses and lost income, regardless of who was at fault.
The system was meant to cut down on car accident injury lawsuits but has been exploited by fraudulent schemes and fake claims. Scammers have been known to stage accidents and submit phony claims, which drives up overall costs and premiums.
The main driver of pricey premiums is the sheer number of traffic accidents in Florida. There are more than 1,000 car accidents every day, and the state has the third-highest rate of fatal car accidents in the country. Another factor is the high amount of uninsured motorists. Medical expenses and property damage costs are passed on to other drivers.
Traffic Accidents and Injuries are Costly
The PIP law that set $10,000 as coverage for medical expenses was enacted in 1979, an amount that is woefully insufficient today. So when traffic accidents involve serious or permanent injuries or death, victims or survivors can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages from the at-fault party.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida traffic accident, talk with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida.
