An automobile may mean different things to different people. It may be a luxury item, a work necessity, or a source of freedom to travel. Quite often, an automobile is one of the most expensive purchases a consumer will ever make. Under Florida law, it is also a dangerous instrumentality. It is a lethal weapon which can maim, injure and kill. It can destroy property and ruin lives.Automobile accidents are not rare or isolated events – there is a death every 13 minutes caused by a motor vehicle accident. In fact, motor vehicle accidents account for more deaths than all natural disasters combined. In the United States, each motorist’s chance of being injured in a motor vehicle accident is better than one in a thousand, in any one year. If you are going to drive on the roads, you need to take action to protect yourself before you hit the gas.
Bodily injury liability insurance is coverage that pays for injuries or death to others when you cause a motor vehicle crash. Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy and provide legal representation for you if you get sued. In particular, your company pays for injuries caused by you or members of your family who live with you, even if they were driving someone else’s vehicle. It may also cover others who drive your automobile with your permission. This coverage also provides you with a legal defense in the event you were sued by the injured party. This provides protection from claims for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In the event you cause an accident, failing to maintain adequate insurance coverage could have drastic consequences. It may result in the suspension of your operating privileges. It also may leave you facing a lawsuit, a potential judgment, and, ultimately financial ruin. Be smart and protect yourself by obtaining bodily injury coverage before it is too late to do so.
