Does Florida PIP Insurance Cover My Motorcycle?
December 8, 2022
No-fault laws do not apply to motorcycles.
Personal injury protection (PIP) only applies to the mandatory auto insurance required by state statutes for residents who drive vehicles with four or more wheels.
Since motorcycles and scooters only have two (or three) wheels, Florida’s no-fault insurance requirements do not apply. Generally speaking, the State of Florida does not require motorcycle insurance.
Riders must register their motorcycle with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) but do not need to provide proof of insurance as part of that process. While insurance coverage is not mandatory, motorcyclists will need to provide proof of financial responsibility if they are involved in an accident.
Since it is impossible to know when an accident is going to happen, this may sound like nonsense.
So, what's the deal....
Florida is a motorcycle friendly state that is unique in that you do not have to purchase insurance to register and ride the new motorcycle that Santa left under the tree. But, it is crucial to fully understand your financial responsibilities under the state’s motorcycle laws. For starters, the vehicle insurance that you may already have for your car or truck does not cover you in the event of an accident if you are riding your motorcycle.
Although it may be tempting to take your new bike for a spin, riding without motorcycle insurance is risky business. That is because motorcyclists, who are involved in an accident, often have more serious injuries that can result in higher medical bills. Since you will not have no-fault PIP coverage to help pay for the unexpected expenses, a motorcycle accident could cause grave financial hardship.
Providing Proof of Financial Responsibility
The Sunshine State only requires proof of financial responsibility against incurred liability following an accident where you were at fault. Nonetheless, you can't predict when you might be involved in a crash, so it is a good idea to obtain the necessary evidence ahead of time. Proof of financial responsibility guarantees a motorcyclist can afford to cover the expenses associated with an accident. Various options are discussed below:
Certificate of Financial Responsibility – Obtained thru the Bureau of Motorist Compliances,* you will need to post a surety bond with a state-licensed company or deposit securities (or cash) with the Florida DMV.
Self-Insurance Certificate – Similarly, self-insurance status requires you to provide proof that you can afford to cover the costs associated with an accident through your own resources (e.g. – notarized financial statement).
Current Insurance Card – A smart option is to have liability insurance in place that meets or exceeds Florida’s minimum insurance requirements. A current insurance card provides legal evidence of financial responsibility.
Florida's No Helmet Law – In Florida, motorcyclists who are 21 years or older can legally ride without a helmet but they are required to purchase the minimum 10/20/10 medical and liability insurance coverage beforehand.
Motorcycle riders also need to meet specific licensing requirements to operate a motorcycle in the Sunshine State. If you already have a Florida driver’s license, you can add a motorcycle endorsement by passing Florida’s Basic Rider Course. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you can obtain a motorcycle-only license by passing the BRC course.
While motorcycle insurance is not strictly required in Florida, you are still financially responsible in the event of an accident. Here at Nsurance Nation, we strongly recommend you purchase the amount of insurance needed to protect your assets. Since other states may require insurance, Florida motorcycle insurance also provides coverage should you travel outside of the state. Use this website’s Click Here for Quotes option or call us direct at 1-833-450-9490.
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*NOTE: Florida’s Bureau of Motorist Compliance exists to make sure someone who is deemed responsible for a motor vehicle accident is accountable for his or her actions under Florida Financial Responsibility Law.
