Florida is among the few no-fault states where drivers must carry personal injury protection or PIP insurance. PIP compensates you and your passengers when hurt in an auto collision, regardless of who was at fault.
However, it does not cover all your medical expenses. And you must also file a PIP claim within two weeks of the accident, or else you lose your right to compensation.
Here is everything you need to know about personal injury protection (PIP) in Florida.
What Does Florida PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP in Florida covers medical expenses, lost income, and death benefits.
What differentiates Florida from other no-fault states is that PIP only covers 80% of your medical expenses. If your injuries cost $10,000, PIP will cover $8,000.
Additionally, you will only receive $2,500 in benefits if your injury is not classified as an emergency. If you have an approved health insurance policy, it could cover the other expenses, but you should confirm whether it covers car accident injuries.
Medical expenses
PIP covers most medical expenses, with a few exceptions, such as acupuncture.
- Doctor appointments and medical exams
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Ambulance rides
In states like Michigan and New Jersey, PIP typically covers injuries household members suffer. However, In Florida, you can decide whether your PIP should cover only you or other household members.
Florida PIP and economic benefits
If an accident leaves you disabled, Florida PIP will cover 60% of your lost income up to a maximum of $10,000. This amount also covers the cost of hiring someone to carry out tasks you can no longer do alone, such as cleaning, laundry, and caring for pets.
Florida PIP death benefits
If the insured dies in a car accident, personal injury protection will cover their burial and funeral expenses up to $5,000 on top of other benefits.
How Much Does PIP Cost in Florida?
You will only have the $10,000 coverage option for PIP in Florida. Personal injury protection increases the cost of yearly auto insurance coverage by around $300.
You may choose a higher deductible of up to $1,000 to reduce your insurance premiums. Additionally, you can opt to exclude work income and whether to cover other household members with your PIP.
Excluding your work income reduces your annual rate by a small amount. The best way to lower your premium is to increase your deductible.
But before choosing the $1,000 deductible, remember that you are still responsible for 20% of your medical expenses that PIP will not cover. Ensure you can afford it and pay $1,000 out of pocket.
When and How to File A PIP Claim in Florida
There are particular guidelines to follow when filing a PIP claim in Florida. One is that you must seek medical care within two weeks of the accident to qualify for PIP compensation.
Your claim will be rejected if you take more than two weeks. Florida has a high insurance fraud rate, so your insurance provider has a maximum of 60 days to review your claim for any fabrications.
But even if they suspect so, they must cover your damages within 30 days. It is advisable to hire a personal injury attorney to ensure you receive your compensation if your case is complicated or your insurer is not cooperating.
Meanwhile, record all your medical costs after the auto accident.
Your employer must complete and send a salary and wage verification form for you to qualify for job loss compensation. The verification shows your earnings for the 13 weeks preceding the accident.
An attorney can help ensure your employer submits it on time. You may also be asked to present a note from your doctor describing your disability.
Florida PIP Law Allows You to Sue
No-fault jurisdictions like Florida enact PIP laws to discourage people from suing one another for damages.
Most no-fault jurisdictions, including Florida, only allow motorists to file lawsuits when the injuries are gravely disfiguring, permanent, or fatal.
However, Florida also permits drivers to file a lawsuit for medical expenses over $10,000, even if the injury was minor.
Therefore, if you suffer injuries in a car accident and incur hospital expenses totaling $20,000, you may sue the at-fault motorist for the additional $10,000 your PIP does not cover.
You may even file a lawsuit against them for any mental distress resulting from the injuries.
Having considerable bodily injury liability coverage on your policy is probably prudent since the average accident-related hospital stay costs about $60,000.
Bodily injury coverage is not mandatory in Florida, but it can protect you from being directly sued for excessive medical expenses if you were at fault for a serious car accident.
Medical Payments Coverage vs. Personal Injury Protection in Florida
Medical Payments, also known as MedPay, literally works the same as PIP. The difference is that it covers medical bills only and not lost wages and other expenses.
Given the low limits, including MedPay in your Florida auto insurance policy may be beneficial. It can add another $5,000 worth of coverage for only $100 annually.
Besides, MedPay can help cover the 20% of your expenses that PIP won’t cover if your health insurance doesn’t pay for it either. MedPay may partially cover your PIP deductible too.
Talk to an Experienced Attorney Today!
If you have been involved in a car accident in Florida, consider speaking to a car accident lawyer immediately.
At Legal Giant, we understand how traumatic car accidents can be. It is at this time that you need the highest level of support.
To support clients, we partner with the most experienced car accident lawyers who understand Florida personal injury protection laws and what insurers need to approve compensation claims.
Our partner attorneys will represent you before your insurance provider and do everything to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (855) 740-5024 to schedule a free consultation today.
