Reader’s Question:

I will stay with my parents for a year in Miami. I have a Minnesota license and insurance do I need to get car insurance in Miami?

Eugene

Miami, FL

Believe you me, Eugene, your car insurance in Minnesota is way better and stricter than what your parents might have with their car insurance in Miami. Both Minnesota and Florida implement true no-fault insurance. This is the type of liability coverage wherein the car insurance company will foot the bill for bodily injury, lost wages, etc. regardless of who is at fault in an accident. This is currently under personal injury protection which Minnesota’s limit of $10,000 is the same as in Florida.

To compare the two states– Your current liability insurance include bodily injury and property damage liability, personal injury protection and uninsured and underinsured motorist. The latter coverage is your protection against drivers who do not have insurance or whose insurance coverage is not enough to pay for damages. Whereas for Florida, the liability requirements are property damage liability and personal injury protection, thus far much less than what you have currently.

Also, I assume that your parents added other types of insurance such as collision coverage, or maybe that installed safety features in their car? Ask your current provider if you can retain your car insurance since the two states have compatible liability insurance coverage. For semi-permanent residents such as yourself, you have to have Florida’s car insurance for yourself or as an additional driver to your parent’s insurance.