What Does Florida PIP Coverage Mean for Florida Residents
Each state has its own requirements for car insurance. Some allow you to carry very low liability limits, while others require you to carry higher ones. And, a handful of states require you have PIP coverage. If you aren’t familiar with PIP, it’s important to learn what it means for you and your ability to bring a claim for injuries sustained in an auto accident.
PIP stands for personal injury protection insurance, which is a no-fault insurance coverage you are required to carry in Florida. This means that your PIP coverage is your primary source of recovery in an auto accident. Only if your bills exceed $10,000 are you eligible to file a claim against the at-fault party whose negligence caused the accident.
Purpose of PIP Coverage
The purpose of PIP is to cover some of your medical bills after an accident. The goal is to reduce delays in payment for an injured driver and unburden the courts in Florida. Through PIP, people are individually responsible for handling their own injuries, no matter who was at fault.
However, despite accidents remaining relatively consistent, PIP claims have significantly increased over the years. The National Insurance Crime Bureau noticed that several Florida cities ranked higher for questionable claims. In fact, Florida PIP premiums only accounted for two percent of collected insurance premiums in the state, but they represent 50% of NICB fraud referrals.
What Does PIP Cover?
We mentioned that PIP covers medical expenses, but there is a more detailed breakdown that will help if you need to make a claim. PIP covers:
- Ambulance and emergency response team treatment;
- Approved medical treatment and diagnostic tests;
- Prescriptions;
- Emergency room, hospitalization, surgery costs; and
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The tricky part with Florida PIP is that it doesn’t cover 100% of your treatment costs. Only 80% of your costs will be eligible for reimbursement under PIP. What’s worse is that if your injury is deemed not to be an emergency, you are only eligible for up to $2,500 in benefits. This would mean you would need a good health insurance policy that would cover the rest. Not all health insurance policies cover car accidents, so it’s imperative to check your benefits before you get into an accident.
Other benefits that may be included under PIP are a percentage of your lost earnings from work and activities/services you would normally engage in but now can’t. These services can include daily chores like cleaning your home and doing laundry. If someone passes away from injuries sustained in an accident, PIP would pay up to $5,000 in costs associated with a funeral and burial expenses.
Legislation to Have PIP Repealed
Previous legislative attempts to get PIP requirements waived stalled out, but there is a renewed interest in trying to repeal the requirements. If successful, the requirement for Florida drivers to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage would be eliminated starting in 2021.
Contact an Orlando Auto Accident Attorney
If you need assistance with pursuing a claim for damages beyond PIP, it’s important you speak with an experienced Orlando auto accident attorney first. Contact the Payer Law today at 407-307-2979 to schedule an initial consultation.
Resources:
bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/02/11/pip-insurance-repeal-emerges-in-florida-senate.html
floir.com/Sections/PandC/ProductReview/PIPInfo.aspx
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