Property damage liability coverage is what covers any damages to your property as a result of something else's negligence, such as another car crashing into you. If your property damage claim gets denied for no reason, you may want to contact an experienced property damage claims attorney.
What is property damage liability when it comes to car insurance?
As Florida law states, every driver who has a car registered in their name has to carry certain car insurance protection within a certain minimum. These insurances include personal injury protection and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability coverage is not required in the state of Florida since we are a no-fault state, but if you lease a vehicle, you may be required to have a certain amount.
Where bodily injury liability is a choice coverage for you to have, property damage liability insurance is not. In fact, the minimum amount of coverage as set forth by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is $10,000 in property damage liability and personal injury protection coverage in the state of Florida.
This type of coverage means that you are required to pay for any damage to another person’s property that was your fault. This includes but is not limited to:another person's vehicle, telephone poles, lamp posts, buildings, homes, traffic signs, fences, mailboxes or trees.
Regardless of your required coverages $10,000, the damages may exceed that amount and you will be held personally responsible to pay for that excess. It is important to not that certain type of property damage liability claims are excluded from insurance benefits.
What does property damage liability insurance cover?
Property damage liability insurance helps to pay for damages and the needed repairs for the other person's car after an accident. Here are some examples of things that property damage liability insurance covers repairs on:
A House
A Vehicle
An Office
A Store
A Trees
A Lamp post
It is important to note that property damage liability coverage limit. If your damages exceed the coverage limit, as stated previously, it is your financial responsibility to cover the rest.
Some other "real life" examples of when property damage insurance can help you:
When you turn your vehicle into a friend’s driveway too quickly and hit their mailbox
If you crash into a storefront after putting your car in “drive” instead of “reverse”
When you rear-end another car while you’re in traffic
Who needs property damage coverage?
According to Florida law, if you own a motor vehicle, you must carry $10,000 of personal injury protection(PIP) insurance and property damage insurance. You may have a deductible for using these coverages but they are 100% required.
How much liability coverage should I buy?
The amount of property damage liability coverage you should buy is dependent on numerous factors, such as: cost, risk level, and Florida's required limits.
Florida’s required limits
Regardless of anything, Florida requires all drivers to carry a minimum coverage of $10,000. Which means you must purchase at least that amount as part of your auto insurance policy.
Your driving record
If you have a history of accidents or traffic violations, you may be required to pay for higher coverage limits to ensure you are protected.
Your financial situation
Buying a higher coverage limit can be a good idea depending on the funds available to you and that it stretches your overall policy limit. If you are a driver who has gotten into numerous accidents before, in the long run having that higher insurance coverage could save you on overages of damaging another person's personal property.
The amount of coverage you feel comfortable with
Ultimately, your property damage insurance should be based on your comfort level. If you are concerned about being responsible for damages in the event of an accident, purchasing as much as you can afford is the best way to limit your out-of-pocket costs.
Make a property damage liability claim with your insurance company
Tip one: Keep all information
Before making a claim, have all the evidence you need readily available. This may include photos of the damage, a police report, and other legal information. Keep your auto insurance policy close and review your coverage limits before calling your insurance company.
Additionally, keep track of any dates, times and names given related to your claim
Tip two: Keep your answers simple when speaking to your insurance company
Any information you say can be used against you. Your car insurance company can twist the words you say just so they can deny your claim. That is why our property damage attorneys advise that you keep the information as concise as possible.
Tip Three: Share the data after the accident with auto insurer and your car accident attorney
Every piece of evidence you have is crucial in your accident attorney making a strong case for you if this is a not at-fault accident.
On scene make sure you take pictures of your car, the accident itself, the location of the accident, etc. Those images will be extremely helpful when it comes to making your claim.
Pursue a Claim Against the At-Fault Party Who Caused Property Damage
If you want to pursue a property damage liability claim due to someone else's negligence, you can take that legal action with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.
If a third party is responsible for causing the collision that destroyed your vehicle, your insurance company can seek damages. It is important to contact the at-fault parties insurance company to know which car insurance the opposing party has and what their coverage pays for.
What is the time frame for filing a property damage claim with your car insurance company?
The Florida Statutes states you have 4 years to make a property damage claim after a car accident. Although this is a long period to make your claim, it is highly advised to report any property damage as soon as it happens. According to our accident attorneys, this is a good way to ensure our claim doesn't get denied.
How can a property damage attorney help me with my claim?
Our articles have clearly stated that there are two types of claims you make after an accident: one is for bodily injury and the other is for property damage. Our team of experienced attorneys is used to handling claims such as these daily, so let Demesmin and Dover Law firm help you with your case.
Our attorneys will listen to the facts of your situation and help you determine the best recourse in pursuing your auto insurance claim. We will fight rigorously to ensure you are fully compensated for your property damage claim. So contact us at 866-954-MORE (6673) for a free consultation.