TALLAHASSEE ��" Moving quickly to breathe new life into Florida’s expired no-fault auto insurance law, Gov. Charlie Crist holds a bill signing ceremony today.

Crist appears in the Capital at 10:30 a.m., according to his schedule. Also appearing will be the Republican sponsors, Sen. Bill Posey of Rockledge and Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale.

The measure, passed in a special session last week, makes property damage insurance mandatory immediately but medical coverage voluntary until January.

The state’s personal injury protection law expired Oct. 1. It paid medical bills of up to $10,000 regardless of who was at fault in the accident. With it went what advocates say was the only safety net for millions of Floridians who don’t have health insurance.

Critics also complained of widespread fraud and medical mills fueled by the insurance benefit.

The measure includes new regulations for health care providers. Despite a lean budget year, lawmakers also appropriated money to hire new prosecutors to investigate insurance fraud.

"We ensure that Florida's drivers continue to be protected while also reducing the possibility of fraud," Crist said in a congratulatory note to the Legislature immediately after the bill passed.

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BY JIM ASH - FLORIDA TODAY CAPITAL BUREAU

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