Do I Need Stacked Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida?
Anyone who has purchased auto insurance in Florida has been faced with the question, “Why should I carry stacked uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on a single car on my policy?” Even if you have never considered this issue previously, it is an important aspect of your policy which could have a drastic impact in the event of an accident. Even with a single-car insured on your policy, there is a coverage difference between the stacked and non-stacked UM forms which can affect whether you or your family members will be able to collect UM at all.
What Is Stacked Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Most insurance companies do offer the non-stacked coverage, and far too often, the policy holder does not get a full understanding of the differences between the two forms, other than the cost increase for the stacking version of UM coverage. It is important to note, the statute is clear that if the policy holder does not sign an election/rejection form at the inception of the policy, the UM coverage is issued at a limit equal to the bodily injury limits on a stacked basis.
Coverage Similarities:
- “An insured” for UM includes the person named, the resident spouse, and related persons who are reside in the household, such as children. (Persons occupying “your covered auto” are also “an insured” for UM coverage.)
- Both forms allow an insured to collect UM coverage while occupying an auto that they own and insure.
- Both forms allow an insured to collect while they are occupying an auto not owned by them. For example, a resident spouse rents a Hertz car or borrows a friend’s car and is injured by an uninsured motorist.
- Both forms respond out of state.
- Both forms respond if an insured is on a business errand or in a vehicle owned by their employer.
- Both forms respond for an insured who is occupying a non-owned motorcycle
- Both forms allow an insured to collect UM benefits if they are struck as a pedestrian by an uninsured motorist.
Thus, both the stacked and the non-stacked UM forms provide coverage which is “portable” meaning it follows a policy holder into non-owned vehicles and as a pedestrian.
The stacking provision, in its simplest and most basic form, states that a policy holder can take the UM available on each car which is owned and insured and “stack” it together to be used anywhere. On the other hand, non-stacking is much like “what you see is what you get,” meaning the UM limit you see on the declarations page is what you get, no matter how many cars you own and insure.
Coverage Differences:
Besides a difference in the price of your premium, there is a significant coverage difference between the two forms which could affect whether you or your family members can collect under the UM provision of the policy. At times the stacked form will respond for a claim whereas, the non-stacked form will not. The non-stacked form has an exclusion stating that the insured can’t collect UM while occupying a vehicle owned by the insured, but not covered for UM under the policy.
When Stacked UM Responds but Non-stacked Coverage Does Not:
- The policy holder obtains a second vehicle and does not call to report the vehicle within the allowable reporting period of 14 to 30 days after purchase (depending on the particular form). Two months later, he or she is hurt while occupying that new vehicle, injured by an uninsured motorist. Stacked coverage responds while the non-stacked does not.
- The policy holder owns a clunker, a vehicle that is not licensed and is used a few times a year to haul material to the county dump a few blocks away. The policy holder decides to take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program, and on the way to the dealership, a collision occurs with an uninsured motorist, and the policy holder is injured. Stacked coverage responds while the non-stacked form does not.
- The policy holder is a “snowbird” who insures one vehicle in Florida under non-stacked UM and owns another vehicle up north. He is in the northern vehicle and is injured by an uninsured motorist. The Florida policy with stacked coverage responds while non-stacked does not.
- The policy holder owns a motorcycle, insures it separately under a motorcycle policy and has rejected UM under the motorcycle policy due to the high cost. In addition, the policy holder owns a car insured on a personal auto policy. While on the motorcycle he is injured by an uninsured motorist. With stacked UM on the auto policy coverage responds for the injury sustained while occupying the motorcycle; non-stacked UM would not respond.
Even with one car on a policy, the stacked UM form provides broader coverage than the non-stacked form. Each of the examples above shows how coverage is broader under the stacked form. To say that stacked UM benefits only those with more than one car is not correct. Even on a policy with a single vehicle being insured, there is a difference in UM coverage.
While it is true that many people may never face a situation in which stacked UM on a single car policy would respond and non-stacked would not. However, it’s critical to understand the coverage differences in the two forms. Stacked benefits always give the insured the benefit of the most, and broadest, uninsured motorist coverage.
Which Uninsured Motorist Coverage Should You Get?
In summation, there are two major differences in the stacked and non-stacked UM forms:
- Relates directly to how much money the client can collect.
- Whether the form responds or not. The stacked UM form will respond at times when the non-stacked UM form does not.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an uninsured motorist, you would be well-advised to contact a Canan Law attorney to help you receive what you deserve to get you back on your feet. Our law firm is devoted to the well-being and financial stability of our clients. Contact our team of trusted lawyers today.
Call us at (904) 849-2266 or stop by our offices in downtown St. Augustine if you have any questions about car accidents or personal injury cases. Attorneys are available to assist you 24/7. You can also contact us online.
