Florida Car Insurance - Warning

[JulieSharp]

I've just watched our regional news (Granada) and it stated that people are buying the very basic car insurance and not adding SLI to their policies. It stated that some car firms are not asking customers if they require it.

A man from Manchester had been left paralysed and his friend had been killed following a car crash. An american smashed into their people carrier, and cannot be sued for compensation due to not having SLI. He said all medical bills were paid, but his home needs adapting and he has to pay for it himself.

The solicitor stated that everyone should take out the SLI and have peace of mind. The american is due in court for Manslaughter.

 

[dixonsontour]

That's very sad.

I'm sure everyone on here will have adequate insurance but hopefully it will make someone watching tv think about risking it without insurance.

No doubt my mum will be on the phone later to warn me - she always watches the local news.

 

[2Tiggies]

Very tragic! It makes you think, doesn't it?!

A little off topic, but so nice to see you on here again Julie - haven't seen you for a while.

 

[stephensmum]

So sad, thanks for sharing.

 

[j9000]

whats sli?
is this different to extended protection?

 

[mikki.young]

SLI stands for Supplemental Liability Insurance and is included in our rates. This is equivalent to '3rd Party' insurance and covers you in the event you cause injury to a 3rd party, or damage to their property.

In this story it sounds like the driver who hit them was uninsured / not insured properly. Very sad but not sure that the UK person taking out SLI would have helped at all. Maybe there is an insurance to cover you if hit by an uninsured person? But maybe that doesn't cover as much as it might.

 

[dixonsontour]

I know they used to charge you for UMP - uninsured motorist protection.

I don't think US have the equivalent of our MIB (Motor Insurance bureau - pays out some compensation in uninsured or untraced driver cases) - so if you are unfortunate enough to be hit by a un or underinsured motorist then you have no redress unless you have your own insurance for this eventuality.

 

[j9000]

SLI stands for Supplemental Liability Insurance and is included in our rates. This is equivalent to '3rd Party' insurance and covers you in the event you cause injury to a 3rd party, or damage to their property.

In this story it sounds like the driver who hit them was uninsured / not insured properly. Very sad but not sure that the UK person taking out SLI would have helped at all. Maybe there is an insurance to cover you if hit by an uninsured person? But maybe that doesn't cover as much as it might.

so if i book a car for a holiday with extended protection, im covered?
surely if im injured while driving, i would also have cover under my travel insurance?
sorry im a bit thick/lost on this

 

[2Tiggies]

so if i book a car for a holiday with extended protection, im covered?
surely if im injured while driving, i would also have cover under my travel insurance?
sorry im a bit thick/lost on this

I also wondered about this, but remained silent since I have never had a car in Florida - (dont even drive here anymore). I would have thought you would be covered for personal accident/injury or whatever other clause. I think what happened here is that the medical expenses were covered (which I would assume falls under what I mentioned if you were to claim on your travel insurance) but did there was no cover in place to sue the driver (legal costs aren't covered). We don't know what type of travel insurance the person had and as some are quite basic this may not have been included in the selected level of cover.

Don't worry - I'm also a bit lost but it's really upsetting to hear something like this. Just not fair!

 

[paul_toria96]

This is very sad

But thanks for making me check my insurance. We went for the Gold package with Alamo and we have the Liability Protection - EP. But reading the small print it only covers the renter and any family member by blood, marriage or adoption.
This has just put a doubt in my mind about taking my friends kids with us in the car. Does this mean that they won't be covered if anything happens?

Sorry to add this to your thread

 

[Racey]

as an insurance underwriter (not motor) - i would suggest any questions you have about your policies you directed to your Insurer because it varies from insurer to insurer.

If you are still very concerened, get everything you can in writing. It doesnt take long to write and email or letter and can save you alot of heartache

We all know insurance firms will try to get out of whatever they can

Would any type of insurance cover have covered the adaptions to his home? I will certainly look further into the car insurance from now on