Florida Personal Injury Protection Insurance

“Personal Injury Protection coverage (PIP) is an essential component of automobile insurance in Florida. PIP coverage is designed to provide medical coverage, funeral, and burial expenses, lost wages, and death benefits to individuals injured in a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. This article will explain how PIP coverage in Florida works, how to file a claim, and what to do in case of a car accident.

PIP Insurance and Florida Law

In Florida, PIP insurance is required by law. It is a form of no-fault insurance, meaning that regardless of who caused the accident, each person’s insurance company is responsible for covering their bodily injury liability, own medical expenses, and lost wages. This is why PIP is sometimes called no-fault insurance.

PIP insurance ensures injured persons receive covered medical care, coverage, and other benefits quickly, without requiring lengthy legal battles to determine fault. This system is meant to reduce the cost of insurance premiums and limit the number of lawsuits resulting from car accidents.

PIP Coverage and Benefits

PIP coverage provides several benefits to individuals injured in a car accident. These benefits include medical expenses, lost wages, funeral and burial expenses, and death benefits. Under Florida law, PIP coverage will pay up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages resulting in bodily injury from a car accident.

Medical expenses covered by PIP insurance can include emergency medical treatment, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and other medical treatments deemed necessary by a doctor. However, it is important to note that PIP coverage only covers 80% of medical bills, with the remaining 20% of medical care being the injured party’s responsibility.

Lost wages are another benefit provided by PIP coverage. If you cannot work due to injuries sustained in a car accident, PIP insurance will pay 60% of your lost wages, up to a maximum of $10,000. This benefit is designed to help you pay your bills and make ends meet while you recover from your injuries.

Funeral and burial expenses are also covered by PIP insurance. If someone dies due to a car accident, PIP coverage will pay up to $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses.

Finally, death benefits are provided by PIP coverage. If someone dies due to a motor vehicle accident, their survivors may be eligible to receive death benefits. These benefits can include payments for lost income and reimbursement for medical bills and funeral expenses.

Filing a PIP Claim

If you are injured in a car accident, it is important to file a PIP claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. The claims process can be complicated, and it is important to provide accurate and complete information to your insurance company.

To file a PIP claim, contact your insurance company and provide the necessary information. This information may include your name and contact information, the date and location of the accident, and a description of your injuries and medical treatment.

Once your insurance company has received your claim, they will begin the claims process. This may involve reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and determining the amount of benefits you are entitled to under your policy.

It is important to note that if you have health insurance, you may need to use that coverage to cover medical costs before PIP coverage. This is because PIP coverage only covers medical costs up to the policy limit, and health insurance may provide additional coverage.

Permanent Injury and PIP Coverage

If you sustain a permanent injury due to a car accident, you may be eligible for additional benefits under PIP coverage. In Florida, a permanent injury from an automobile accident is defined as a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function or a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability.

You may be entitled to up to $10,000 additional benefits under PIP coverage if you have sustained a permanent injury. However, to be eligible for these medical benefits alone, you must provide medical evidence to support your claim.

The insurance company may require you to undergo an independent medical examination (IME) to determine the extent of your injuries and whether you are eligible for additional benefits. It is important to provide accurate and complete information during this process, as any false or misleading information could result in your insurance claim being denied.

Car Insurance Premiums and PIP Coverage

PIP coverage is one of the factors that can affect the cost of your car insurance premiums. The amount of PIP coverage you choose can impact your premiums, as can your driving record, age, and other factors.

In general, higher levels of PIP coverage will result in higher premiums. However, it is important to consider the potential benefits of having additional coverage, particularly if you have a high risk of being involved in a car accident.

It is also important to note that PIP coverage is not the only type of automobile insurance you may need. Liability insurance, which covers damage to other people at-fault driver’s property and injuries they sustain in an accident you cause, is also required by law in Florida. Comprehensive and collision coverage, which can help pay for damage to your own vehicle in an accident, may also be worth considering.

What you need to know

PIP coverage is an important component of automobile insurance in Florida. It provides medical coverage, lost wages, funeral and burial expenses, and death benefits to individuals injured in a car accident, regardless of who was at fault for a car crash.

If you are injured in a car accident, filing a PIP claim as soon as possible is important. The claims process can be complicated, but providing accurate and complete information can help ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to under your policy.

It is also important to consider the amount of PIP coverage you need when purchasing automobile insurance. While higher levels of coverage can result in higher premiums, they can also provide greater financial protection in a car accident.

By understanding how PIP coverage works and its benefits, you and other drivers can make informed decisions about your automobile insurance coverage and be better prepared in case of a car accident.