Yes — if you elected the Florida BDI course in connection with a qualifying citation and completed it successfully, Florida law protects you from certain insurance consequences.
The Legal Rate Protection
Florida Statute §626.9541, F.S. prohibits insurance companies from:
Raising your premium
Canceling your policy
Non-renewing your policy
...solely because of a non-criminal traffic infraction where adjudication was withheld and no points were assessed.
When you complete the BDI course through a valid election, your citation is recorded as adjudication withheld and no points are added to your record. This legal protection applies automatically — you do not need to submit anything to your insurer to invoke it.
Exceptions
The rate protection does not apply if:
You were at fault in a traffic crash for which the insurer paid out a claim
You receive a second infraction within 18 months
You receive a third infraction within 36 months
This Is Different From an Insurance Discount
The legal rate protection applies to the election track — when you formally elect the course for a qualifying citation. It prevents your insurer from penalizing you for that infraction.
An insurance discount is different — it is an optional benefit some insurers offer for voluntarily completing a state-approved course. Discounts vary by provider and are not guaranteed. See: Can I use my Florida BDI certificate for an insurance discount?
Safe Driver Status
If you had "safe driver" status on your Florida license before the citation, completing the BDI course through election allows you to retain that status. Safe driver status is used by some insurers when determining rates.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Rate protection required by | Florida Statute §626.9541, F.S. |
Applies to | Election track — citation with adjudication withheld |
Protection covers | Premium increases, cancellation, non-renewal |
Applies if at-fault in crash where insurer paid claim | No |
Submit anything to insurer | No — the protection applies by law |
Different from a voluntary discount | Yes — see insurance discount article |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to notify my insurer that I completed the BDI course for this protection to apply? The legal protection applies by statute when adjudication is withheld and no points are assessed. However, it is generally a good practice to be aware of your insurer's processes. Contact your provider if you have questions about how they apply this requirement.
Does this protection apply if I took the course voluntarily? Not automatically — the protection is tied to adjudication being withheld through the election process on a specific citation. Voluntary enrollment does not produce adjudication withheld status.
My insurer raised my rates after I completed the BDI course. What do I do? This is a legal matter. Contact your insurer directly and reference Florida Statute §626.9541, F.S. If the issue is not resolved, you may want to consult with a Florida insurance attorney or the Florida Department of Financial Services.