Eliminating PIP could save drivers with health insurance $100 to $200 a year -- and possibly more in South Florida, where coverage is expensive.

But insurers have increased rates on such optional coverages as bodily injury liability and uninsured motorists coverage, because they anticipate more claims under these coverages. The increases will offset some savings realized by eliminating PIP.

Q. If a driver has no form of healthcare insurance, do auto insurers offer any coverage that would pay medical bills?

A. For drivers with no other form of health insurance, they may need to buy medical payments coverage to cover their medical bills. Depending on the insurer, medical payments coverage could cost the same or more than PIP coverage so there could be little or no savings for such drivers.

Q. If a driver is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, how is damage to your car or medical bills paid?

A. Whether the other driver is at fault, you would need to carry uninsured motorist coverage to have your medical bills paid.

A driver could also rely on his own healthcare insurance to cover doctor and hospital bills.

A driver's own collision coverage would take of the auto-repair bills.

Q. What is the state's financial responsibility law and does it make liability coverage mandatory?

A. The financial responsibility law requires that drivers have proof they can meet the liability from an accident if they are at fault. Proof can be insurance, such as bodily injury liability coverage, a $30,000 surety bond of, or proof of personal wealth.

Proof is demanded when an accident occurs. If a driver doesn't have property damage liability insurance, his license could be suspended under this law.

Q. In evaluating their coverage, what questions should customers ask their insurance agents?

Drivers should consider whether they have assets to protect and whether they need to increase the optional coverages they already have.

All insurers are encouraging policyholders to review their auto-insurance coverages with their agents.

Q. Where can drivers get more information?

A. Florida's chief financial officer, Alex Sink, has prepared a website that provides answers for consumers: www.myfloridacfo.com, click on the "Life Without No-Fault" box at the top right side of the page.

AAA Auto Club South is holding two seminars later this month to help consumers figure out the coming changes in auto insurance. These seminars are open to all AAA members:

* Wednesday, Sept. 26; AAA Auto Club South Miami office, 6643 South Dixie Hwy., South Miami; 5:30-7:30 p.m.

* Thursday, Sept. 27; AAA Auto Club South office, 7074 SW 117th Ave., Kendall; 5:30-7:30 p.m.

AUTO COVERAGE

Once personal injury protection, or PIP, expires Oct. 1, the only auto insurance required will be a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability, which covers damage to another person's property, including buildings, fencing and animals. But there are optional coverages, including:

* Bodily injury liability: covers medical expenses for people injured in an accident the driver causes.

* Collision: covers repairs to vehicles caused by accidents; can elect deductibles of $250, $500 or $1,000.

* Comprehensive: pays for other damage, such as fire, theft, windstorm, vandalism or flood; can elect deductibles of $250, $500 or $1,000.

* Uninsured motorist: provides medical benefits and lost wages to a driver or passengers in an accident caused by another driver with no insurance coverage. It's usually sold in increments of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

* Medical payments: provides additional medical benefits; sold in increments from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on insurer; pays a driver's medical expenses up to limit purchased.

NOTE: Lenders may require that drivers buy optional coverages, including collision.