Drive Safely

Some Florida insurance news-

For Florida drivers, a new era is here.

After 36 years with a no-fault auto insurance system -- where most medical expenses for accident victims are paid up front without deciding which driver caused the accident -- the law expired at 12:01 a.m. Monday.

That means all accidents -- even a small fender bender -- could end up in court to determine who caused it.

But how long no-fault law will be gone is an open question. Monday afternoon, Gov. Charlie Crist announced that no-fault would be added to this week's 10-day special session that begins Wednesday.

For now, drivers will no longer be required to buy $10,000 of personal injury protection, or PIP. Property damage coverage will still be needed to register a vehicle in Florida. But the mechanism to enforce this requirement will die with the no-fault law.

Several major insurers, including Allstate and State Farm, contend PIP isn't needed if drivers already have health insurance. That way consumers could save some $200 on auto insurance costs.

Don't you appreciate how insurance companies want to save us money. Now if Allstate would stop asking for hikes in homeowner's insurance rates.

BTW if automobile injuries will now be covered through health insurance, wouldn't those premiums be expected to increase? The money has to come from somewhere.

Rick at SOTP is also commenting
Linked to- Bright & Early, High Desert Wanderer, Webloggin,