Commonly Used Terms in Auto Accident Cases- Part 1

Bodily Injury Coverage

Bodily Injury Coverage is part of your auto insurance policy that you purchase that protects you in case you accidentally injured someone while driving an automobile. This is commonly referred to as “BI” coverage.

Property Damage Coverage

Property Damage Coverage is part of your auto insurance policy that you purchase that covers any type of damage to another person’s vehicle or property in an auto crash.  This coverage, like Bodily Injury Coverage only applies if you are at fault for causing the crash.  This is commonly referred to as “PD” coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This type of coverage is a form of insurance which serves to protect the people in your car and/or the resident relatives in your home, in case a person causes injury to you or any of these individuals or they are injured in a car crash.  Usually, this applies only when another vehicle is involved causing the crash or injuries; thus many times single car accidents are excluded from this type of coverage. In Florida, this type of coverage generally applies when the other party does not have any Bodily Injury Coverage or does not have enough to cover the insured’s injuries. This is commonly referred to as “UM/UIM” coverage.

Definitions are specific as to Florida Law.  Other state statutes may define them differently and different insurance policies may have different definitions.