Florida Personal Lines Law & Coverage Rules
This chapter covers the Florida-specific personal lines rules that sit on top of the shared national property & casualty fundamentals: who regulates insurance in Florida, the state's no-fault auto system, the unusual PIP-plus-PDL minimum, why bodily injury liability is not a baseline requirement, the Citizens Property Insurance backstop for hard-to-place property risks, and cancellation/nonrenewal notice rules. Figures below were checked against the Florida Department of Financial Services and state motor-vehicle sources this session; always confirm current numbers before advising a client.
Who Regulates Insurance in Florida
Florida splits insurance oversight: the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) licenses and disciplines agents, while the separate Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) supervises insurers' rates and solvency. For personal lines producers, the DFS Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services is the licensing authority. There is no federal insurance department. Official agent site: https://myfloridacfo.com/division/agents.
No-Fault Auto and the PIP + PDL Minimums
Florida is a no-fault state. A driver's own personal injury protection (PIP) pays their medical costs up to the policy limit regardless of who caused the crash. To register a vehicle, Florida requires $10,000 of PIP and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL). These are the two baseline coverages — verify the current figures with the Florida DFS.
Bodily Injury Liability Is Not a Baseline Requirement
A classic Florida exam point: unlike most states, Florida does not mandate bodily injury (BI) liability as a baseline for most drivers — only PIP and PDL. BI liability is optional but strongly recommended to protect the insured's assets, and it can become mandatory after certain events (for example a DUI requiring an FR-44, or certain at-fault crashes). Explain this gap clearly so clients are not underinsured.
Citizens Property Insurance, Cancellation and Nonrenewal
Because of hurricane and windstorm exposure, some Florida property owners cannot find coverage in the private market. Florida created Citizens Property Insurance Corporation as an insurer of last resort for eligible risks. Separately, state law limits the reasons an insurer may cancel a personal auto or homeowners policy and requires advance written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal, with special rules for property policies. Exact day counts vary — verify current Florida notice periods and Citizens eligibility with the Florida DFS.