Golf carts are an important part of everyday life for many Floridians, including in The Villages. But like life on any road, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle raises certain risks. Golf cart accidents can and do happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared, including by getting golf cart insurance.
Florida Insurance Requirements
State law requires the owner of any vehicle registered in Florida to obtain Personal Injury Protection insurance. PIP coverage is part of the state’s “no fault” insurance system, in which a person injured in an accident can get some basic compensation without having to prove who’s to blame for the crash.
PIP plans generally cover 80 percent of an injured person’s medical bills and 60 percent of his or her missed wages while recuperating from the injuries, up to a total of $10,000. The insurance also offers up to $10,000 in personal property coverage for damage to your vehicle. It covers the owner of the vehicle—whether it’s a car, truck or golf cart—as well as anyone inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The problem for golf cart and other drivers in the Sunshine State is that many people get on the road without PIP coverage, even though it’s required by law. Florida has the highest rate of uninsured drivers (more than 26 percent) of any state in the country, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That can be disastrous for anyone involved in an accident that causes injuries that incur costs beyond those covered by PIP insurance.
Even drivers who are insured may not have adequate coverage. The law requires a person to get only the basic PIP coverage. Many drivers don’t have additional bodily injury liability coverage. That means those drivers don’t have insurance to cover situations in which the person causes and accident in which someone else is injured.
That’s why it’s critical that golf cart owners get uninsured motorist insurance. These plans cover instances in which those covered by the policy are involved with a person who has no insurance or inadequate coverage.
Talk With a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. It’s important that you seek the advice and counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney, who can help you weigh your options and build the strongest possible case.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been representing people involved in collisions for more than two decades. Our office is conveniently located in The Villages. Our firm is proud to fight for clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
