FAQ

FAQ

What kind of coverage does Florida require to get on the road?
Florida requires basic coverage which covers personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and Property Damage (PD) coverage. Personal injury protection coverage will pay for personal medical expenses up to the limit stated in the policy. The minimum coverage requirement in the state is $10,000, but you can get higher limits if you think this is not enough. Property Damage Coverage will take care of the cost of repairing or replacing another person's property. This typically means damage to someone else's car, but it could apply to any other type of property you damage in an accident
Your car insurance coverage depends on the policy you purchase
but a typical full or specialty coverage includes:

•Bodily injury (BI) liability coverage pays for the medical costs of the people who are injured (not including yourself). This coverage also helps cover payment for legal defense in the event you are sued for damages. This is especially coverage that needs to be requested.
•Medical payments (MedPay) coverage helps pay for medical and funeral expenses after a car accident. It's an optional form of auto insurance that typically covers the policyholder, family members driving the car, and any passengers. Also known as medical payments coverage or MedPay, coverage applies no matter who's at fault.
•Collision and comprehensive (Comp/Coll) coverage for damage done to your vehicle in collisions, and in non-collisions (i.e., fire, vandalism, or theft).
•Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects in the event of an accident where the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance.
There are other types of car insurance available that can help you in a number of situations, such as roadside assistance, so be sure to talk to our insurance representative to make sure you have all the coverage you need.
What can I do to lower my auto insurance costs?
Many of our carriers offer different discounts which could include homeowners, good students, teens with parents who have safe driving records, drivers who own cars with airbags, drivers who own two or more automobiles, and more. Talk to one of our insurance representatives to discuss your possible discount options.
Why do car insurance premiums change?
Auto insurance premiums change for the same reasons that the price of other goods and services you buy changes.
Insurance companies incur the same costs you do in buying goods and services, and these costs can ultimately affect your insurance premium.

Costs affecting the ultimate price of auto insurance include:
•Medical costs to treat injuries
•Auto repair costs
•Costs to adjust claims
•Inflation
•Uninsured drivers (your policy pays when the other driver doesn't have an auto insurance policy if you purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage)
Although insurance companies can't directly control these costs, we regularly monitor them to see how they are affecting the costs of the claims we pay. As they change, auto premiums must be adjusted. These costs can affect your auto insurance premium whether or not you individually have had an accident or claim.
Most drivers know that tickets and accidents can raise your car insurance premium. But even if you haven’t been in an accident or received a ticket, there are other factors that can still affect the cost of your auto insurance.
Making a change to your policy can have an impact on your auto insurance rate. For instance, adding a driver will likely increase the cost of the policy, especially if the new driver is a teenager. Moving to a new residence may also affect the cost of your policy – depending on the rate of traffic accidents, thefts, and vandalism claims in your geographic area, this can affect your premium either negatively or positively. Your premium may also increase if you’ve recently switched vehicles. The more your vehicle is worth, the more it will cost to insure. However, automobiles with features like anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices may lower your premium.
Am I covered if I drive someone else's vehicle?

Generally speaking, the insurance goes with the car. For example, if you have an accident while driving someone else's car, the owner's insurance would apply toward damages first. Your auto insurance would generally apply in the event the owner of the vehicle had no auto insurance or did not have enough auto insurance to pay the damages. For specific information and guidance on your coverage in this situation contact one of our Surety Auto agents.
Does my car insurance cover other drivers?

It depends on the situation and the specifics of your policy. Your policy may have an “omnibus clause” that covers any driver who has permission to use your vehicle (known as permissive drivers). If an insured driver who isn’t listed on your policy drives your vehicle and gets into an accident there is a chance the claim will not be paid. Under Florida law, all household residents or possible drivers must be placed on the policy as rated or excluded. This is for both your protection as well as theirs.
Will my policy be cancelled if I have an accident?

Generally, being in an accident will not cause your policy to be canceled. However, after the facts of the situation are reviewed, you may be required to pay a higher premium for your policy upon renewal. Your Surety agent will help you understand the potential increases if an accident does occur
How do I report a claim?

Unfortunately Surety Auto does not handle any claims. All claims must be submitted through your respective insurance carrier for review. You can usually find your carrier's claim number on your Insurance card. If you cannot locate your card find your carrier below:

•Alert Auto: 1-877- 868-0123
•Assurance America: 1-888-580-8134
•Bristol West: 1-800-274-7865
•Dairyland: 800-334-0090
•Embark General: 800-809-5747 (Glass Claim) https://www.embarkgeneral.com/fnolportal/#/general (Online Claim submissions)
•Infinity / Kemper: 1-800-353-6737
•National General: 1-800-468-3466
•The General: 1-800-280-1466
•United Automobile: 800 344 2150
If I rent a car, am I covered?

Car rental companies charge daily fees coverage (which means their insurance will pay for all damages covered in your rental agreement). Rental car coverage under a private passenger policy does not apply. We offer rental reimbursement as part of our towing package. As our agent about the different options, we could provide
Can I get car insurance if I don’t own a car?

Yes, people who don’t own a car but who frequently use other people’s vehicles can get a non-owner policy that provides basic liability coverage to make sure they are protected in an accident. A non-owner policy could also include other coverages like uninsured motorist coverage or MedPay.
What is an SR-22 / FR-44?

An SR-22 / FR-44 is a certificate your car insurance company sends to your local DMV to prove that you have car insurance. SR-22 / FR-44 forms are usually required when your driver’s license has been suspended and you are trying to get it reinstated, some examples are if you’ve had a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving Without Insurance (DWI) charge. An SR-22 / FR-44 is not a type of car insurance, it is simply a certificate of financial responsibility for drivers who are required to provide one to the state.
The insurance company is charging me a fee because I cancelled my policy with them. Is this legal?

The company may be assessing you for what's called a short rate cancellation. If you cancel your auto policy prior to the policy expiration date, your contract allows them to cancel on a short rate basis. The company will calculate how many days the policy was in force and using percentages in the personal auto manual, the calculation will be done to determine how much is owed or if a refund is due. This rate varies by carrier and the length of the policy before cancellation is taken into account.