Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is mandatory auto insurance coverage in Florida. PIP is often referred to as “no-fault” insurance because compensation is recovered without regard to who caused the accident. This coverage is designed to provide quick financial support to injured drivers and passengers without requiring proof of fault or liability.
Keep reading to learn more about PIP coverage.
Why Is PIP Insurance Required in Florida?
Under Florida law, all drivers must carry a minimum amount of PIP coverage to legally operate a vehicle. Failure to maintain PIP coverage can result in the suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP insurance in Florida covers the following:
Medical Expenses
Personal Injury Protection coverage pays up to 80% of reasonable and necessary medical bills related to injuries from a car accident. Coverage includes emergency room care and hospital stays. It also includes doctor’s visits, ambulance fees, surgical costs, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
PIP only covers expenses that are deemed “medically necessary” by your insurer. Not all treatments may be covered, and the amount of coverage is subject to your policy limits.
Lost Wages
PIP insurance pays up to 60% of lost income if you are unable to work due to your injuries. You will need medical proof that your injuries prevent you from working to recover loss of income benefits.
Funeral Expenses
If a covered individual dies because of the injuries they sustain in an accident, PIP pays up to $5,000 in death benefits to the family. This amount is in addition to medical and lost wage benefits that might be paid under the policy.
Required PIP Coverage in Florida
Florida insurance requirements stipulate that vehicles with a current Florida registration must have a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). They must also have a minimum of $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL).
PIP insurance pays up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages for covered individuals, regardless of fault. However, PDL insurance pays for property damage to another person’s vehicles if you cause an accident.
Personal Injury Protection coverage applies to the vehicle owner. However, it also covers anyone driving the vehicle with the owner’s permission, passengers, pedestrians, and anyone living in the household. Therefore, you may be covered by PIP even though you do not own a vehicle.
Limitations and Deadlines for PIP Claims in Florida
PIP insurance only pays amounts up to the policy limits, meaning that additional medical bills and lost wages will not be covered beyond this threshold.
Furthermore, the coverage limits may be reduced to $2,500 if your injuries are not certified as an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC). You only receive the full benefits if a doctor documents that you sustained injuries that required emergency medical treatment.
Claimants must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP benefits. Delaying medical treatment after an accident could result in forfeiting PIP benefits.
It is also important to note that PIP benefits do not cover all economic damages (financial losses). Personal Injury Protection does not cover any non-economic damages (i.e., pain and suffering). However, Florida’s serious threshold exemption allows victims to pursue liability claims against at-fault drivers if their injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL
If you are involved in a car accident, here are the steps you should take:
- Report the car accident: Call 911 to report the accident. A police report provides an official record of the accident.
- Document the accident scene: If possible, take photographs and make videos of the scene. Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information.
- Seek medical treatment: Visit a doctor within 14 days of the accident and ensure your injuries are documented.
- Notify your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the crash to begin a claim.
- Gather and submit required documents: Provide claim forms, medical records, and any other evidence requested by your insurer. Keep detailed records, including all receipts, itemized bills, and records of lost wages.
Taking these steps can help streamline the claims process and protect your right to compensation.
Contact Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer
Navigating Florida’s no-fault insurance laws after a car accident can be overwhelming. If you have questions about your PIP coverage or need help securing the benefits you deserve, contact Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers today at (813) 800-0810. Our Tampa car accident lawyers offer a free consultation.
Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Tampa
1925 E 6th Ave Unit 10
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: (813) 800-0810
Hours: 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Tampa, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 27.9593512,-82.4394928
About The Author
Attorney Matthew Mincone is the founder of Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers. He earned his law degree while attending night programs in New York and is licensed to practice in Florida. With over 15 years of legal experience, Matthew focuses on personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles. His commitment to personally handling each case ensures clients receive dedicated representation. Click here to view some of the remarkable case results that Matthew has successfully achieved.
Location: Tampa, FL
