# Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida | Brooks Law Group ![Two drivers exchanging insurance information after a car accident](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Uninsured-Motorist-Coverage-in-Florida-compress.jpg) Florida consistently ranks among the worst states for uninsured motorists. Recent [statistics](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists) from the Insurance Information Institute found that 20.4 percent of Florida drivers have no auto insurance. That’s the sixth-highest percentage in the country. The nationwide picture isn’t pretty either. Current data from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) show that one in eight drivers in the United States are uninsured. ## Why Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matter? In Florida, the minimum auto insurance requirements are tiny compared to the losses you might experience [after a car accident](https://brookslawgroup.com/faqs/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-tampa-fl/). Drivers are only required to carry $10,000 in [Personal Injury Protection](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/personal-injury-protection-pip-in-florida/) (PIP) for medical expenses and wage loss and $10,000 for property damage. You could blow through that amount in a single hospital stay. Uninsured motorist insurance (UM) provides an added layer of protection for you. UM coverage will pay for your excess expenses once you’ve exhausted your PIP limits. Although UM coverage is optional in Florida, the [car accident lawyers](https://brookslawgroup.com/florida/car-accident-lawyer/) at Brooks Law Group strongly recommend purchasing as much insurance as you can afford. Your premium will be higher, but the out-of-pocket expenses you could incur if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you may result in severe financial hardships. Look to Brooks!CALL US TODAY [![Phone Icon](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/themes/brooks-law-group/assets/app/img/ctas/phone-icon.png)(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030) ## Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage When you buy your auto insurance policy, you’ll hear about uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). So, what’s the difference? **UM applies when drivers have no insurance.** It also kicks in if you’re hurt in a hit-and-run accident. **UIM coverage is triggered when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.** It can make up for your leftover expenses once your PIP benefits are paid. UM and UIM can pay for damages like medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Aside from the more expensive monthly premium, there’s no downside to purchasing uninsured motorist coverage. ## Do I Need an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Florida? If you’ve been [seriously injured in a crash](https://brookslawgroup.com/contact-us/) with an uninsured driver, it’s always a good idea to talk to a car accident lawyer. Remember, your auto accident claim will still be handled by an insurance company. Just because it’s **your** insurance company doesn’t mean you’ll be offered a fair settlement. An attorney can review your insurance policy to determine what coverage is available to you. In Florida, UM must be rejected in writing. If you do not recall opting out of UM coverage, you could carry it unknowingly. A UM/UIM lawyer can also help file your claim and push back when adjusters try to reduce their payout to you. Even though you’re the policyholder, there are no promises they’ll pay the full amount you’re due without persistent and effective negotiating. Hiring an attorney tells the insurance company that you won’t be taken advantage of. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today ## Don’t Wait ― Contact Brooks Law Group Today [Hit by an uninsured driver in Florida](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14516216274171670183)? The knowledgeable car accident lawyers from [Brooks Law Group](https://brookslawgroup.com/) can determine your legal options in a free consultation. Call or [contact us](https://brookslawgroup.com/contact-us/) today. Call or text [(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](/contact-us/) Personal Injury Blog Posts: [![Warning triangle on the road behind two cars after a collision](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-7-compress-300x200.png)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/liability-and-leaving-the-scene-what-drivers-should-do-after-accidents/) ### [Liability & Leaving the Scene: What Drivers Should Do After Accidents](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/liability-and-leaving-the-scene-what-drivers-should-do-after-accidents/) Following a car accident, it's easy to panic. This is especially true for the at-fault party, as they have the most at [![Long-term car accident injuries can cause pain for months after your crash.](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LTB-Blog-1-image-1-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/hidden-injuries-compensation-for-long-term-car-accident-injuries/) ### [Hidden Injuries: Compensation for Long-Term Car Accident Injuries](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/hidden-injuries-compensation-for-long-term-car-accident-injuries/) At Brooks Law Group, we regularly work with individuals across throughout Florida suffering from long-term car accident [![Uber or Lyft Accident Injury Claim Florida](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lyft-accident-300x202.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/filing-a-claim-in-a-florida-uber-or-lyft-accident/) ### [Filing a Claim in a Florida Uber or Lyft Accident](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/filing-a-claim-in-a-florida-uber-or-lyft-accident/) There’s no question that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation throughout Florida. [![Satellite view of Hurricane Ian over Florida](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ian-insurance-brooks-law-compress-300x251.jpeg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/the-not-so-calm-after-the-storm-hurricane-ian-insurance-claims/) ### [the (Not So) Calm After the Storm: Hurricane Ian Insurance Claims](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/the-not-so-calm-after-the-storm-hurricane-ian-insurance-claims/) Ian left its mark all over southeast and central Florida, and while Brooks Law Group is thankful to be walking out with --- Source: https://brookslawgroup.com/faqs/why-you-need-uninsured-motorist-coverage-in-florida/