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Florida is one of 12 “no-fault” insurance states, requiring drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance on vehicles operated in the state. PIP insurance allows injured drivers to receive compensation for damages and medical expenses by utilizing their insurance coverage. This places less of a burden on the legal system and enables drivers to receive compensation relatively quickly. Below, we discuss in detail how PIP insurance coverage works in Florida and how you can use it if you’re injured in a car accident.
How PIP Insurance Coverage Works in Florida
PIP insurance coverage guidelines are stated in Florida Statute 627.736. The state requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection and $10,000 of property damage liability through the car insurer of their choice. PIP insurance covers 80% of your “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses and 80% of property damage you caused someone else. PIP also pays 60% of your lost wages. If someone passes away as a result of the crash, the victim’s family receives an additional $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses.
These figures are the bare minimum requirements in Florida. You can choose plans with higher limits and higher premiums. When you get into a car accident in Florida, you utilize the insurance benefits from your insurance policy before seeking compensation from the other party, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
PIP Insurance Coverage Eligibility
To file a PIP claim after a car accident, you must be a Florida resident with valid Florida car insurance. You must also see a doctor within 14 days of the accident. If you don’t, you’re not eligible for PIP coverage. This is why it’s critical to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you don’t feel hurt. It often takes several days after the accident to know the extent of your injuries. You must also seek treatment from an approved and licensed medical professional in an authorized facility. Certain treatments and therapies, such as acupuncture, are not eligible for PIP coverage.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP insurance coverage in Florida protects you (the insured driver), passengers in your car, relatives in the same household, and anyone operating your vehicle. Your PIP insurance also covers any pedestrians injured by your car. PIP insurance covers 80% of your medical expenses, such as:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Surgical procedures
- Diagnostic tests
- Dental work
- Physical therapy
- Emergency transportation
- Prescriptions
- Prosthetic devices
- Hospital services
PIP also covers $10,000 in property damage to others and a portion of your lost wages.
What Happens When PIP is Exhausted?
Accident costs can escalate rapidly, and the $10,000 coverage for medical expenses is quickly used up for those with severe injuries. If you’ve used up your insurance benefits but are not at fault for the accident, the next step is to contact a Florida accident attorney, like our team at the Michael Brady Lynch Firm. They can help you sue the responsible party’s insurance for the remaining amount. Your attorney can also negotiate to have the 20% not covered by PIP reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Can PIP be Rejected in Florida?
Your PIP claim can be rejected through your insurance, even if you have spent years with the same insurance company and made timely payments. Here are the most common reasons PIP claims are denied:
- You didn’t receive medical treatment within 14 days of the accident.
- You visited an unapproved medical professional or facility.
- Treatment was medically unnecessary.
- Negligence caused the accident, such as driving under the influence or fleeing a crime scene.
- The injury wasn’t caused by the car accident.
Insurance companies are notorious for avoiding paying out damages for accident claims. If you received a PIP denial letter from your insurance after a car accident, call our firm at 888-585-5970 to speak with an attorney today.
Did You Know? We Handle PIP Claims in Florida!
At the Michael Brady Lynch Firm, we help injured victims receive compensation for their damages and expenses, whether you were diagnosed with a chronic disease due to ineffective drugs or were injured in a car accident. We will fight for the compensation you’re entitled to, even if your insurance company denies you. Contact our office today at 888-585-5970 or schedule a consultation online to get started.
