What to Know About PIP Coverage in Florida

Filing a PIP lawsuit in Florida can be a way to receive benefits you were denied after a car accident.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

Personal injury protection is a type of automobile insurance that covers healthcare expenses that may come with a car accident. It is also known as “no-fault insurance” because it provides benefits to policy holders and their passengers even if the accident was the policy holder’s fault. Generally, personal injury protection will cost an additional $5 to $50 per month.

Whether vehicle owners are required to carry PIP insurance varies from state to state. Twelve states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require car drivers to carry PIP coverage, according to Cars Direct, and these states are considered no-fault states.

In states other than these, the insurance provider of the party who was responsible for the accident must pay benefits to cover the injured party. Cars Direct explains that coverage under a PIP insurance policy can be an efficient and less complicated way to get compensation in the hands of those involved in an accident. [

What Does Personal Injury Protection Cover?

Personal injury protection covers the crash-related medical bills of both the policy holder and the passengers in the policy holder’s vehicle, Investopedia says. The protection generally covers drivers first, but can secondarily benefit others, if there is money left.

If pedestrians were injured in a car accident that you were involved in, your PIP coverage would cover their medical expenses, as well. However, it does not cover the medical bills of other parties involed in the crash. Their own insurance would cover their injuries. It coverage ensures that a certain percentage of the expenses related to your accident are covered by personal injury protection.

In addition to medical bills, Personal injury protection also can cover lost wages, funeral expenses, and other injury-related expenses like child care.

What Are the Requirements for PIP Coverage in Florida?

Laws governing PIP coverage vary depending on each state. PIP coverage in Florida must provide $10,000 of personal injury protection. This means that if you drive multiple cars, you must have personal injury protection for each of your vehicles. The vehicles that are subject to this requirement are those vehicles that are driven in Florida for over 90 days within a year-long period.

Florida is one state in which PIP insurance can cover more than just medical costs — Florida PIP can also cover other costs related to accident injuries, like lost wages, home services, therapy needed due to an accident, house cleaning, or lost wages. Florida PIP can also cover death benefits like funeral services, if they are needed.

However, Florida PIP is limited, explains WalletHub. PIP coverage in Florida covers the first $10,000 in expenses, but if you seek more than $10,000 in benefits or compensation, then Florida functions like a fault state — a victim of an accident must sue the at-fault party for benefits over $10,000. 

Florida PIP also does not cover 100 percent of expenses up to $10,000. Florida only covers 80 percent of medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages. Additionally, Florida PIP only covers up to $10,000 in the case of emergency injuries. If your injury is not an emergency, PIP coverage in Florida will only cover up to $2,500.

In Florida, purchasers of PIP can decide if they want their coverage to just be for one individual, or if they want coverage for their entire family. 

Investopedia explains that in some cases, if the cost of your your injuries exceeds the compensation, health insurance may cover these costs.  

How Do You File A PIP Claim?

Value Penguin explains that to file a PIP claim, you can file a claim either online or by phone. PIP will immediately cover necessary medical costs. In Florida, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to file a PIP claim.

Claiming benefits for ongoing care, or care that is considered non-urgent, the claim process is slightly more involved. A medical expert is usually required to authorize your treatment plans if you are claiming benefits for it.

Join a Free PIP Overcharging Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

You may qualify for this investigation under the following circumstances:

• You were injured in a motor vehicle accident within the past 5 years;
• You were treated at a hospital in Florida;
• Your insurance company paid PIP insurance benefits for your hospital treatment;
• You received a bill from the hospital based on its original charges rather than for reduced charges.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.