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Florida requires every registered vehicle to carry at least $10,000 in Property Damage Liability coverage, known as PDL. It is one of the two mandatory auto insurance coverages in the state—the other being Personal Injury Protection. But what exactly does PDL pay for, and where does it stop? Understanding the answer can protect you from a serious financial mistake.
PDL covers damage you cause to someone else's property when you are at fault in an accident. The most common use is paying to repair or replace another driver's vehicle after a collision. But the coverage extends beyond just cars. PDL can also pay for damage to fences, mailboxes, storefronts, utility poles, or any other physical property you damage while operating your vehicle. The key requirement is that the property must belong to someone other than you.
Florida's $10,000 PDL minimum was set decades ago and has not kept pace with the cost of modern vehicles or repairs. Consider what that limit means in practice:
PDL has a short but important list of exclusions. It does not pay for damage to your own vehicle—that requires collision coverage. It does not pay for your own property, such as items inside your car, your fence, or your own home if you accidentally drive into it. PDL also does not cover bodily injury to anyone involved in the accident; that requires separate Bodily Injury Liability coverage, which Florida does not legally require but which most financial advisors strongly recommend carrying.
Most insurance professionals recommend carrying at least $50,000 to $100,000 in PDL, especially if you drive frequently in traffic or operate a newer vehicle. The premium difference between Florida's $10,000 minimum and a higher limit is typically modest—often just a few dollars per month—but the financial protection gap is enormous. An uncovered judgment can follow you for years, affecting wages, bank accounts, and credit.
Florida's minimum PDL limit is a legal floor, not a smart coverage strategy. The cost of a single at-fault accident involving a newer vehicle can wipe out that limit and expose you to a personal lawsuit. A Truscott policy checkup reviews your current PDL limit alongside your overall auto coverage, identifies where you are underprotected, and helps you choose limits that actually reflect your risk. Reach out today to make sure your coverage is built to protect you—not just to satisfy the state minimum.
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