Snowbirds Don’t Fly…So Check Your Coverage!

Welcome back to all of our local snowbirds! We are glad to have you back in the Sunshine State and hope you enjoyed your Spring and Summer travels this year. Now that you’re back in Florida, it might feel like vacation, and you could be tempted to leave your worries behind, including thoughts about your insurance coverage. However, we’ve noticed a trend that could be a BIG problem for YOU, if you aren’t aware.

Many seasonal residents have questions when it comes to insurance coverage for their time here in Florida, especially if the majority of their affairs are taken care of in their home state. One common topic that comes up is auto coverage. Since many snowbirds bring their car(s) with them when they come, it can be confusing to know whether or not your vehicles’ registration and coverage in your home state is good enough to cover you here as well. While it can be, there are legal stipulations on that.

If you are going to be in Florida for more than 90 days in a year, you are required to carry certain amounts of coverage on your car. That means you have to register your vehicle within the state of Florida, and find an agent to help you secure coverage. The law requires a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability coverage, although some car owners choose to purchase more. An important detail to note is that your 90 days do NOT have to be consecutive. So, even if you break that 90 days up into 3 30-day Florida trips over the course of a year, you still are required to carry that coverage. If you choose not to, not only could you be ticketed by law enforcement if you’re caught without proper registration, but you are also risking huge financial loss if you get into an accident and injure yourself, or worse, someone else. You could be liable for all damages yourself since you’d have no coverage here in Florida, and your insurance provider back home would have the right to deny the claim due to the car being out of state for an extended period of time.

While it can be tempting to suspend or cancel coverage each time you leave FL to head back home, this is advised against by many insurance professionals. Doing so could still end up costing you significantly over time. If you’re wondering about the best option for you now that you’re back in Florida, Carroll Marshall Insurance is here for you. We will help come up with the best possible protection plan for your needs and your budget. Give us a call or stop by our Winter Haven office!