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Insurance coverage can be complicated to understand because there are many terms used in vehicle insurance policies, some of which are uninsured motorist coverage (UM), underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), stacked coverage, and non-stacked coverage.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage 

UM-UIM insurance is not mandatory in Florida. However, it is critically important, and you should always carry UM-UIM coverage! It covers medical, lost wages, and pain and suffering after personal insurance protection (PIP) has been exhausted. UM coverage helps pay for accident-related expenses if a driver is hit by another driver without insurance. UIM helps pay for expenses if an at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover accident bills. Never sign forms rejecting UM-UIM coverage! Both stacked and non-stacked coverage applies to UM and UIM coverage.

Vehicle owners need to make decisions when they purchase vehicle insurance. One of these decisions is whether to have “stacked” or “non-stacked” coverage. What is the difference?

Stacked Insurance

Usually, Florida’s stacked insurance coverage provides better coverage with higher limits. When insurance is stacked, it covers the driver when he/she is driving or riding in any vehicle whether the vehicle is owned, borrowed, rented, or is another person’s vehicle, or a motorcycle.

Stacked insurance has combined coverage limits for multiple vehicles. A coverage limit is a maximum amount your insurer will pay towards a covered claim. Therefore, when combining separate coverage limits into one higher limit, there is greater protection when a driver is involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

When insurance is stacked, it covers the driver when he/she is driving, or even riding, in any vehicle whether the vehicle is owned, borrowed, rented, or is another person’s vehicle, or a motorcycle. Always select stacked insurance coverage!

Stacking can occur within one policy or multiple policies.

For example:

One Policy – If there are two cars in one policy, the UM insurance of $25,000 for each car becomes $50,000 if the driver is in an accident.

Do Not Have Multiple Policies – Always have all your vehicles under the same insurance policy, and make sure the UM-UIM coverage is stacked. Having your vehicles under multiple policies is a bad idea and could cause you to be entitled to less UM-UIM coverage if you have an accident.

Non-Stacked Insurance

Non-stacked insurance treats UM coverage limits separately regardless of the number of cars that are insured under one or more policies. It only covers the vehicle a driver is in at the time of an accident. 

"Always choose stacked UM coverage with a minimum of $300,000 coverage (preferably more).  Never reject UM coverage, and never sign the form that says, “You are electing not to purchase valuable coverage…” (this is known as a UM waiver), because by signing this you are either rejecting UM coverage or selecting UM coverage with limits lower than your bodily injury coverage.  Signing this waiver form could have devastating consequences to you or a family member if you are in an accident,” said Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Randall Spivey. “If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, after seeking medical treatment, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. We have the experienced team to assist you, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you.”

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact  Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.