At Sterling & Schmidt, we strive to simplify information about Florida car insurance. We believe that high-quality service can only be rendered when a company takes steps to make insurance understandable to its customers. Being knowledgeable about insurance terms will enable you to choose the best Florida auto insurance coverage for your needs.

Our highly-experienced Florida auto insurance specialists are able to clarify the terms below and to answer any questions that you may have about Central Florida car insurance.

The following coverages apply to personal auto insurance as well as your commercial auto coverages...

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage (BI)
If an insured person is legally liable for an accident, BI coverage pays for injuries/death to people involved in the accident other than the insured driver. BI also pays for legal defense costs if you are sued. Certain exclusions may apply. Refer to your policy.

Property Damage:
This will cover you if you were to cause damage to someone elses property. This is a critical part to a comprehensive auto policy.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
PIP is a coverage in which the Florida auto insurance company pays, within the specified limits, the medical, hospital, and funeral expenses of the insured person, people in the insured vehicle, and pedestrians struck by the insured vehicle. PIP is the basic coverage implemented in no-fault automobile insurance states.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
If a driver or owner of a vehicle does not have insurance and is legally liable for an accident, UM coverage can be used for injuries, including death that you, your resident relatives, and occupants of your insured vehicle sustain, up to the limits you select. Certain exclusions may apply. Refer to your policy.

Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage
MedPay is an optional Central Florida car insurance coverage that pays for reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses for covered persons. These expenses must be incurred as a result of an auto accident.

Comprehensive Coverage
If your insured vehicle is damaged due to an event other than a collision, Comprehensive Coverage will pay for the damage. This includes damages from fire, theft, windstorm, flood, and vandalism. If your vehicle is stolen, Comprehensive Coverage covers transportation and loss-of-use expenses when applicable.

Collision Coverage
When your insured vehicle overturns or collides with another object, Collision Coverage pays for the damage to your vehicle. Collision Coverage also may extend to a non-owned vehicle or a rented vehicle for personal use that is in your custody or that you are operating. Certain exclusions may apply. Refer to your policy.

Deductible
A deductible is the amount that you agree to pay out of pocket for damage resulting from a specific loss or accident. Generally, choosing a higher deductible will lower the premium for your Central Florida car insurance.

Rental/Towing
You also have the option of adding coverage for towing services and rental car.  If you already have AAA, then you don’t need the towing service.  Rental car coverage however is very convenient to have and can make life a lot easier if you are without your car and in need of a replacement.

Special Equipment
This coverage can be purchased if you have added any type of expensive special or additional equipment to your car, and would like that covered as well.  Each carrier has different limits, so just ask us and we will advise you accordingly.

Full Coverage
"Full Coverage" is a common term that people use to describe how much auto insurance coverage they have. Although there is no such thing as full coverage, the term often implies that a Florida auto insurance policy has more than just Liability Coverage.