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Key Takeaways
- “Full coverage” is not a legal or insurance industry term. Instead, it’s an informal phrase often used to describe a combination of coverages, typically liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance.
- Common types of auto insurance coverage include Bodily Injury Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM).
- Even with multiple coverages, many policies exclude or limit long-term medical care, pain and suffering damages, lost future earning capacity, serious or catastrophic injury costs, and accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Many drivers believe they’re fully protected because they have “full coverage” auto insurance. It sounds reassuring, after all, full implies complete protection. Unfortunately, “full coverage” is one of the most common and dangerous myths in auto insurance. There is no official policy called full coverage, and relying on that phrase can leave Florida drivers seriously underinsured after a crash.
Understanding what your policy actually includes, and what it doesn’t, can make all the difference if you’re ever injured in an accident.
What “Full Coverage” Actually Is (and Isn’t)
“Full coverage” is not a legal or insurance industry term. Instead, it’s an informal phrase often used to describe a combination of coverages, typically liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. While these coverages offer important protections, they do not guarantee that all accident-related costs will be covered.
In reality, many drivers with “full coverage” are shocked to learn that their medical bills, lost wages, or long-term care costs exceed their policy limits.
Common Types of Auto Insurance Coverage
To understand why the myth persists, it helps to break down the most common types of auto insurance coverage.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability insurance pays for injuries or damage you cause to others. It covers medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering for others injured in a crash you cause.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. It does not cover medical expenses.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision damage, such as theft, vandalism, fire, flooding, or falling objects. Again, this coverage is limited to property damage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP covers a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. However, most people only get the minimum coverage, $10,000, which is inadequate for serious injuries.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
UM/UIM coverage protects you if you’re injured by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. This is one of the most important coverages in Florida, as 26% of Florida drivers don’t have car insurance.
Video Transcript:
Hi I'm Mike Hancock with Hancock Injury Attorneys, and today I want to give you some advice on car insurance and more specifically advice on what it means to have full coverage in Florida.
In Florida all you're legally required to have is your no-fault or PIP coverage in property damage liability coverage, that's it, and that's far from full coverage.
What I consider to be full coverage is this: You have to have your PIP, you have to have your property damage liability, but then to have full coverage you also need to have bodily injury liability coverage, collision coverage comprehensive coverage, rental car reimbursement and most importantly you need to have uninsured motorist coverage, because in Florida the statistics show that at least 25% of everybody driving on the roadways are completely uninsured.
So uninsured motorist coverage is the most important coverage you can have in addition to your PIP and property damage liability. You can watch some of our other videos, or content on our website, that give you a better explanation of all the benefits of uninsured motorist coverage.
If you have any questions, please give me a call at 813-915-1110. I'd be happy to consult with you and answer any questions you might have. The consultation's always free.
What “Full Coverage” Often Leaves Out
Even with multiple coverages, many policies exclude or limit:
● Long-term medical care
● Pain and suffering damages
● Lost future earning capacity
● Serious or catastrophic injury costs
● Accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
These gaps can leave injured victims facing overwhelming financial stress.
Why This Myth Is Especially Dangerous in Florida
Florida has a high number of uninsured and underinsured drivers, with 26% of drivers driving without insurance. Combined with the state’s no-fault insurance system and low minimum coverage requirements, this creates a perfect storm for accident victims. A single serious crash can easily exceed PIP and liability limits, even for drivers who believe they have “full coverage.”
How to Protect Yourself Beyond “Full Coverage”
To truly protect yourself, consider:
● Increasing liability coverage limits
● Carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
● Reviewing your policy annually
● Understanding exclusions and deductibles
● Speaking with a knowledgeable insurance professional
Being proactive now can save you from devastating financial consequences later.
What to Do If You’re Injured and Insurance Isn’t Enough
If you’re injured in a car accident and insurance doesn’t fully cover your losses, you may still have legal options. Florida law allows injured victims to pursue compensation from negligent drivers in many circumstances, especially when injuries are serious or permanent.
How Hancock Injury Attorneys Can Help
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we regularly help clients who believed they were fully insured, only to discover otherwise after an accident. We evaluate insurance policies, identify all available sources of compensation, and fight to recover the full value of our clients’ injuries.
Our team handles the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.
Knowledge Is the Real “Full Coverage”
The best protection isn’t a buzzword; it’s understanding your coverage and your rights. Knowing what “full coverage” really means empowers you to make smarter decisions and protects you when it matters most.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and have questions about your insurance or legal options, Hancock Injury Attorneys is here to help. Call our office at 813-915-1110 to schedule your free case consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today.
FAQs
What Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance?
“Full coverage” is not a legal or insurance industry term. Instead, it’s an informal phrase often used to describe a combination of coverages, typically liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance.
How Can I Protect My Insurance Policy?
To truly protect yourself with your insurance policy, consider:
- Increasing liability coverage limits
- Carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Reviewing your policy annually
- Understanding exclusions and deductibles
- Speaking with a knowledgeable insurance professional