What do you do if you get into a car accident in Florida, but your insurance policy is from another state? This happens more than you think. Florida sees a ton of visitors from all over—whether it’s tourists, snowbirds, or people down here for work. A lot of people come in with insurance from places like Illinois, Michigan, or North Carolina.

When your policy isn’t from Florida, things can get complicated. That insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company, However, it’s governed by the laws of the state where it was issued and the statute of limitations will be different. That means the rules you’re used to—like how long you have to file a claim—might be completely different here. And if you don’t know those differences, you could miss out on benefits or even have your claim denied.

Why Out-of-State Insurance Policies Are Tricky

When you have an out-of-state insurance policy, remember it’s a legal contract governed by the laws of that state, not Florida’s. If you’re in an accident here, Florida rules won’t automatically falls well alligned with you due to the difference of the corresponding states.
This is where things can get confusing. For example, every state has its own statute of limitations—that’s the deadline for filing a claim. Some states might give you two years; others might give you four. But if you don’t follow the timeline set by the state where your policy was issued, you could lose your right to make a claim altogether. It’s not uncommon for people to assume they have time, only to find out later that their deadline has already passed.

That’s why having someone with the required legal knowledge on your side is crucial. An experienced attorney can help you understand what the policies are all about and ensure you meet all requirements so your valid claims will not be denied.

Insurance Company Questions: What to Expect

When you file a claim after an accident, the insurance adjuster is going to ask you a bunch of questions. At first, these might sound routine—almost like small talk—but make no mistake, they’re gathering information to figure out if they can deny your claim.

They might ask things like:

• How long has your car been in Florida?

• What was the purpose of your visit?

• Were you just visiting or have you moved here?

• Were you driving for Uber, Lyft, or another company when the accident happened?

Now, you might be thinking, Why does any of this matter? After all, you got hit, you’re hurt, and you just want your claim processed. But here’s the thing—these questions are designed to find loopholes in your policy.

For example, if you’ve had your car in Florida for an extended period but haven’t updated your insurance or registration, they might argue that your coverage is invalid because your policy is based in another state. If you were driving for a rideshare service or delivering for a company at the time of the accident, the adjuster might try to claim that your personal insurance doesn’t apply, forcing you to go through commercial insurance instead—which can complicate things even more.

This is exactly why having an attorney on the phone with you during these conversations is so important. We know what they’re trying to do, and we won’t let them twist your answers into something that works against you. We make sure that every question is answered in a way that protects your rights and gives you the best chance of getting the benefits.

Differences in Insurance Coverage: What to Watch Out For

One of the biggest things to know is that not every insurance policy works like Florida’s. Florida has what’s called no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which helps cover your medical bills, no matter who caused the accident. But not all states do things the same way. If your insurance is from a different state, it might not include PIP at all. Instead, some policies offer medical payments coverage (also called “MedPay”), which works differently.

MedPay policies are designed to cover your medical expenses up to a specified limit, however, they may only activate right after other insurance has been exhausted. In contrast, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides immediate coverage, making the claims process simpler. If you are unfamiliar with how your out-of-state policy operates, you risk incurring out-of-pocket costs for expenses that should be covered by your insurance.

Our team will identify any gaps in your policy and strategize the best ways to maximize your coverage. It’s easy to overlook critical details in the fine print, but that’s precisely why we are here—to ensure you receive the full benefits to which you are entitled and avoid being shortchanged.

How Carter Injury Law Helps You Navigate Out-of-State Claims

We’ve handled plenty of cases involving out-of-state insurance policies, so this isn’t something new for us—we know the process inside and out. Dealing with different state laws, unfamiliar policies, and adjusters who are trying to deny or delay your claim can certainly get overwhelming. That’s where we come to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

The reality is that out-of-state insurance companies often create complexities in the claims process. You shouldn’t have to worry about the fine print or figuring out which benefits you’re entitled to—we’ll take care of that. If your policy offers medical payments coverage instead of Florida’s no-fault PIP, we’ll explain how it works and ensure those benefits are applied the way they should be.

Our goal is to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to under your policy. We know how to push back when insurance companies try to cut corners or deny valid claims, and we’ll fight to get you the full benefits you deserve. With us in your corner, you can focus on recovering, and we’ll handle the rest.

No Fees Unless You Win

One thing I always tell people: there’s no reason to hesitate about giving us a call because we don’t charge anything upfront. When you’re dealing with an accident—especially in a situation where your insurance is from another state—the last thing you need is to worry about legal fees. That’s why we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover anything for you, you owe us nothing. It’s that simple.

Carter Injury Law also covers all the costs that come with handling your case—things like paperwork, court filings, and expert consultations. You’re not paying out of pocket for any of that. All of the time and resources we put into your case? We front those costs because we believe in your claim, and we’re confident we can get you what you deserve.