Expert: Doctor Settlement - 9/4/2007

Question
do you need motorcycle insurance in the state of florida

Answer
Hi Josh,

I have two answers for you: one based upon my experience, and the other based upon Florida law.  May as well take the tough commments first, so here is my own opinion first:

If you cannot afford insurance on your bike, keep it off the street.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  This is not based upon any state statute, but upon having seen dozens of motorcycle accident cases, both as the victim and as the tortfeasor.

You are a liability to others and to yourself if you cannot afford insurance, and hence you do NOT belong on the road.  I am not talking about insuring the property value of your bike, but insuring others with liability insurance, insuring yourself and your passengers with PIP and UIM.

Now, end of my comments, and a summary of Florida law:

You are not required to have the no-fault or PIP insurance, but you do have to protect the other drivers from your negligence.  Hence, Florida's FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW DOES APPLY TO MOTORCYCLES.

Florida's No-Fault, or "PIP Law" does not apply to motorcycles. HOWEVER, the Financial Responsibility (FR) Law applies to ALL motor vehicles in Florida, including motorcycles.

Thus the voluntary purchase of motor vehicle liability insurance by an owner, operator or owner/ operator is highly recommended. Failure to carry property damage and bodily injury liability insurance in case of a crash, DUI conviction or other occurrences outlined in Florida's FR Law, Ch. 324, may result in some or all of the following: Loss of license/tag and registration, and/or restitution or civil court judgment, and future proof (three years) of high risk, SR22 mandatory liability insurance coverage just to keep your driver license - even if you do not own any motor vehicles. Source: Florida Motorcycle Handbook 2006

Best wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.settlementcentral.com