TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Members of the Florida Legislature moved a bill forward Thursday that would do away with the state’s no-fault insurance system and the requirement that drivers carry personal injury protection.
Currently, drivers are required to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection.
Under the new law, drivers would have to carry $20,000 in bodily injury coverage instead.
According to current Florida law, personal injury protection covers the driver, passengers, other drivers and their passengers and pedestrians, regardless of who is at fault.
Bodily injury insurance only covers the cost of other people’s vehicle damage or injuries if a driver is found to be at fault in a crash, the Florida Department of Highway Safety said.
Legislators estimate that the change will save drivers more than $80 a year per insurance policy.
“It really rewards responsible drivers and tells irresponsible drivers and those people who are driving distracted and not paying attention … that they are going to be responsible for their actions,” Florida Rep. Erin Grall said. “The costs should rest with them as well.”