In Florida, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance, also known as PIP insurance. This type of no-fault insurance can help cover 80% of up to $10,000 of your medical expenses and some other costs after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
PIP coverage includes:
-
- Medical expenses: PIP can help cover your medical costs, including hospitalization, surgery, chiropractic care, and more (80% of up to $10,000.)
-
- Lost wages: If you cannot work because of your injuries, PIP can help reimburse you for a portion of your lost wages. (60% up to a $10,000 limit.)
-
- Death benefits: In the event of a fatality, PIP can provide death benefits to the surviving family members. (up to $5,000)
-
- Replacement services such as childcare, housekeeping, and yard work
-
- Other necessary expenses include mileage to and from medical appointments
It is important to note that PIP insurance will not cover damage to your vehicle or any property damage. For this coverage, you will need to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance.
How Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Work in Florida?
If you are involved in a car accident, your PIP insurance will be the first type of coverage that will kick in. Once your PIP benefits are exhausted, then you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance. However, because Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry BIL insurance, there is a possibility that the at-fault driver will not have any insurance coverage.
In this case, you may be able to seek compensation through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) insurance coverage. UM/UIM insurance can help cover your expenses if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
PIP insurance will only cover a portion of your expenses, so it’s still a good idea to carry UM/UIM insurance for added protection. For additional coverage, many insurance policies also offer an additional elective provision called MedPay, or Medical Payment Coverage. MedPay ensures that your medical bills are paid up to a specific coverage limit.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer at The Fran Haasch Law Group for Assistance With Your PIP Claim
If you have questions about PIP insurance or need help filing a claim, contact a personal injury lawyer in Florida. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and options under Florida law.
The Fran Haasch Law Group and our personal injury attorneys are standing by to help car accident victims in Clearwater, Florida, and the Greater Tampa Bay region. We offer free case evaluations to inquiring clients. Our case results speak for themselves, but if you would like to know more about our legal services, please feel free to call (727) 784-8191 or contact us online to get started on receiving maximum compensation for your personal injury case.
