At The Pinnacle Group, we recommend that our customers take the time to read their insurance policy documents to better familiarize themselves with their particular coverages. That task can be daunting, however, given the specialized language used by insurance companies. To help alleviate some confusion, we've defined some of the more common industry terms.

Liability Coverage

Bodily Injury Liability covers your legal liability for bodily injury to others. Typically, this excludes 1) injuries to family members, 2) injuries to employees and 3) injuries covered by work.

Property Damage Liability covers your legal liability for damage to others' property. Florida law requires that you have Property Damage Liability of at least $10,000. Typically, to property owned by/or in your control, 2) damages caused by war and 3) damages to any automobile while used for public transportation or while engaged in the automobile business.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP covers you, your family members and certain others for bodily injury resulting from auto accidents without regard to fault. Typically, payments are for 80% of medical expenses, 60% for loss of income, replacement household services and (if the limit has not been exhausted by other benefits) a death benefit. Personal injury protection is required by Florida law. The principal exclusions for this coverage are 1) injuries sustained in autos you or a family member owns which have not been specifically covered under the policy and 2) injuries to other vehicle owners required by law to have their own coverage.

There are a number of cost savings options available under this coverage such as different the exclusion -of work loss benefits if you are retired or unemployed and do not have wages.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical Payments Coverage supplements the medical expense reimbursement for PIP coverage and provides basic coverage in situations where PIP does not pay. The principal exclusions are 1) medical expenses incurred more than one year after the date of an accident, 2) injury to any person while in a vehicle used as a residence and 3) injury arising out of an automobile business or while occupying an automobile used for public transportation.

Physical Damage Coverage

Comprehensive provides for damage to your covered car resulting from fire, theft and other direct losses not excluded. The principal exclusions are 1) any automobile used for public transportation, 2) damage to certain electronic equipment, tapes and other media and 3) undeclared camper bodies.

Collision covers damages to your car resulting from upset on impact with another object. The principal exclusions are the same as listed for Comprehensive.

Other Coverages - Your policy may contain other endorsements which add or broaden coverage, including such coverages as towing and rental; extended coverages for audio, visual and data electronic equipment; customized equipment and tapes, records, discs and other media.

These explanations and definitions are intended to provide an overview of the most

common coverages found in most auto policies. Your particular policy may vary from the more common components discussed here. Please call if you have any questions, concerns or needs pertaining to your particular policy.