Welcome to St. Augustine! Transitioning your vehicle registration and insurance to Florida is an important task—and you're right that Florida’s system can be a bit confusing. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you need to know to stay legal and protected on the road:

🚗 Florida Auto Insurance: What You Must Have

Minimum Legal Requirements

Florida is currently a no-fault state, which affects how insurance coverage works after an accident.

You must carry:

• $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

  • This pays your medical expenses regardless of fault.

• $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PD)

  • This covers damage you cause to someone else’s property.

These are the absolute minimums required to register your vehicle in Florida.

❗ Bodily Injury Liability (BI): Required in Practice

While not required to register your car, BI coverage becomes mandatory if you're at fault in an accident involving injuries.

Florida Financial Responsibility Law mandates:

• Minimum BI:

  • $10,000 per person

  • $20,000 per accident

If you don’t have BI at the time of an accident:

• You could be required to purchase it afterward.

• You may have to file an SR-22, a certificate proving you’re carrying required coverage, for 3 years.

💡 Recommendation:
The insurance industry recommends at least $100,000/$300,000 BI and $50,000 PD to adequately protect yourself and your assets in case of a serious crash.

🛡️ Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: Worth Considering

UM coverage protects you and your passengers if you’re hit by a driver who:

• Has no insurance, or

• Doesn’t carry enough coverage.

Important facts:

• Pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain/suffering.

• It kicks in after your $10,000 PIP limit is reached.

• You must purchase BI to be eligible for UM.

• You can’t buy UM coverage for more than your BI limit.

Why it matters:
Florida leads the country in uninsured drivers—26.7% of motorists are uninsured. Without UM, you could be stuck with major expenses.

📝 Final Thoughts

• Meeting Florida’s minimum legal requirements may not be enough to truly protect you.

• Higher coverage limits and UM protection give peace of mind.

• Avoid putting your savings, property, and income at risk with bare-minimum policies.

📞 Need Help Choosing a Policy?

At Belfast Blue Group, we work with over 15 insurers and can help match you with the right coverage for your needs and budget. Call us at 904-740-5995 or reach out online. We're here to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Welcome to the neighborhood—and drive safe!