What to Know About Rental Car Accidents in Florida
Tampa has vibrant waterfronts and amusement parks, allowing everyone to have an experience they can enjoy. Florida sees more tourists and more rental cars than almost any other state, which also means more rental car accidents. If you're in a crash while driving a rental in Florida, the rules are different from a regular fender-bender in your own car. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while renting a car in the Sunshine State, do not hesitate to contact our Tampa car accident attorneys at Matthews Injury Law.
Florida is a No-Fault State
Florida abides by a no-fault insurance law, which allows you to file medical bills and lost earnings claims with your own insurer. Although bills to eliminate mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and move to a fault-based system were introduced in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, they died in committee.
As of July 2026, Fla. Stat. § 627.736 is still in effect, and drivers must still carry:
- $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP): PIP pays your own medical bills and lost earnings after a crash, regardless of who is at fault. PIP covers 80 percent of all reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of gross lost earnings.
- $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL): PDL covers damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property.
- Bodily injury liability (BIL): Florida does not require most drivers to carry BIL, which would cover medical expenses and lost earnings for another driver or their passengers when you are at fault.
If your rental car is involved in an accident, your own PIP (or the rental company's, depending on the coverage you selected) is generally the first place medical costs get paid from, not the other driver’s insurance.
According to Fla. Stat. § 627.736 (1)(a), you must receive medical care within 14 days of your accident to claim PIP benefits. If you don't get medical treatment within 14 days of the crash, you can lose your right to PIP benefits entirely, even if you're genuinely hurt. Don’t make the mistake that many tourists do by waiting to receive medical treatment until they get home.
Which Insurance Coverage Applies?
This is the part that confuses most renters, but any of the following insurance policies may apply in a Tampa rental car accident:
- Your personal auto insurance: Many personal auto policies extend to rental cars, but your auto policy’s deductible and specific exclusions will apply.
- The rental company's insurance: If you don’t want to experience a premium hike on your auto insurance, you may consider buying the rental company’s insurance. The rental car company will likely offer (and often pressure you to buy) Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), supplemental liability, PIP/medical, etc.
- Your credit card's rental coverage: Many cards offer secondary collision damage coverage if you paid for the rental with that card and declined the rental company's own collision waiver.
- A non-owner auto policy: A separate policy that provides liability and personal injury coverage for drivers who regularly borrow or rent vehicles, but do not own a car themselves. Generally, this does not apply to your average vacationer, but to those who frequently rent.
If your vehicle is registered elsewhere but you’re renting in Florida, Florida insurance laws will apply, not your home state’s. In Tampa rental car accidents, out-of-state renters are often the ones most likely to be underinsured for a Florida accident since their personal policy may not extend PIP-equivalent coverage the way Florida requires. If you are an out-of-state renter, you may want to consider purchasing the rental company's supplemental coverage. If you are unsure of how to file your rental car accident claim, our legal team is here to guide you.
What if I Am Partially Responsible for the Crash?
If you and the other driver share fault, Florida law allows you to recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent liable. Insurance adjusters know this and will look hard for anything that pushes your share of fault past that line. Many people get themselves in trouble by providing a recorded statement to a claims adjuster, which allows the insurance company to twist words to justify assigning you greater liability. That is why you need to let our Tampa car accident lawyers at Matthews Injury Law handle communications on your behalf.
Speak with Our Tampa Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident while visiting Tampa, Matthews Injury Law would like to hear from you. With over 70 years of combined experience, our Tampa car accident lawyers are prepared to advocate for the compensation you deserve. To get started, contact us online or by calling (813) 530-1000 today.