Your car insurance is required to include some property damage liability coverage—and if you’re involved in an accident, you’ll be glad you have it. This type of insurance covers damage to other cars, valuables or property. Depending on your policy, it may cover damage if someone else is driving your car at the time of an accident.

Here’s what property damage liability coverage in Tampa, FL can do for you.

What it covers

This type of coverage helps if you’re in an accident and you damage someone else’s property, whether that’s their car, home or other type of property. If you’re determined to be at fault for the accident, your insurance will help cover the cost of fixing or replacing the damage that the accident caused.

This includes repairs to other cars, like new parts or body shop work, repairing damages to real property like buildings, mailboxes and fences, lost income as a result of the accident, attorney and other legal fees and any other recurring expenses from the accident.

Every state has a minimum amount of property damage liability coverage you must carry. In Florida, you’re required to have at least $10,000 in coverage. However, if you’re able to afford a more robust plan, that means you’ll pay a lot less out of pocket if you’re involved in a collision.

How much it costs

You might be surprised to find out that increasing your coverage doesn’t mean that your premiums will also increase exponentially. In fact, you might only pay a difference of $10 to $20 per year—and it’s completely worth it. If you’re on the hook for $50,000 and your insurance only covers $10,000 in damage, you could be faced with bills that will severely impact your lifestyle and ability to save for the future.

How to file a claim

Property damage claims are usually filed by a third-party insurance company—you should never file one on the other party’s behalf. If you suffered property damage as a result of an accident where someone else is at fault, you or your insurance company will file the claim against them.

Depending on how much coverage the other driver has, their insurance may not pay out enough to cover all of your bills. In that case, you will be able to go after the policyholder themselves to recoup the rest of your money. It’s always a wise idea to consult an attorney after an accident like this—they can help you ensure that your claim is filed appropriately and guide you through the next steps.

In short, having good property damage liability insurance in Tampa, FL is a smart decision on a number of fronts. Not only is it affordable, but it will protect you if you’re ever in a collision that damages someone else’s property.

For property damage coverage as well as a whole host of other insurance types, get in touch with the team at Affordable Car Insurance Tampa today. We look forward to helping you find the right coverage for your situation!