This recent article in the Pensacola News Journal demonstrates the importance of having uninsured motorist insurance coverage, or "UM" coverage, in your automobile insurance policies.  Even if the accident does not involve a hit-in-run driver and the negligent driver can be identified, Florida is one of only a few states in the country that do not require the drivers and owners of vehicles to carry any liability insurance coverage to pay for your injuries or damages if they were to injure you or one of your family members in an auto accident.  The best way to protect yourself from an uninsured motorist is by making sure your own automobile insurance policy has UM coverage.  UM insurance is an optional insurance that many drivers regrettably fail to purchase simply because it is not required by law.  However, while other insurance coverages provide compensation to others for injuries you cause them in an accident, UM insurance is the only automobile insurance coverage available to compensate you or your family members for damages in the unfortunate event you or a member of your family are the victim of an uninsured driver.  UM insurance covers you not only for injuries and damages caused by a driver who fails to carry automobile insurance, but it also helps protect you in the event your injuries and damages caused by a negligent driver exceed the driver's bodily injury liability insurance limits.  Check your auto insurance policies today to confirm you have UM insurance.  And if you don't have it, get it.

http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/2015/02/16/pensacola-hit-runs-nearly-double-years/23515267/