Personal Injury Protection, or “No-Fault Insurance” is a requirement for all drivers under Florida state law. This insurance is used to cover drivers no matter who was at fault in an auto accident. All states that require PIP insurance have their own set of rules and regulations, but we are here to explain how it works here in the sunshine state.
What is Covered Under PIP Insurance in Florida?
Medical costs, lost wages and death benefits are covered under Florida’s PIP insurance. You can choose whether or not you are covered individually, or your dependents are covered as well.
- Medical Costs
Make sure your health insurance covers car accident injury, because in Florida, PIP only covers up to 80% of medical costs. If your case is not deemed emergent, you will only be entitled to $2,500 worth of benefits. You could consider adding medical payment coverage to your PIP auto policy to help cover any additional and unforeseen medical costs that may come from an auto accident.
- Lost Wages
Payments for lost wages can include not only wages lost during the time of personal injury, but household duties (cooking, laundry, cleaning) you may not be able to do as a result of your injury. Your coverage can cover 60% of this at a maximum of $10,000.
- Death Benefits
If the policy holder dies, PIP will cover the funeral expenses and burial. The next of kin is also entitled to $5,000 for these costs.
When and How to File a Claim in Florida
You may be thinking, “I was in an auto accident, I’m experiencing pain and I’m not sure what to do next.” When preparing to file a personal injury claim, keep track of all medical expenses, and dates/times of treatment. If the insurance company seems to be giving you the runaround, it might be a good idea to find yourself a Personal Injury Lawyer to make sure you receive payment. For lost wages you will need to submit a wage and salary verification that is completed by your employer. Having proper legal representation could help motivate your employer to complete this in the appropriate time frame.
Remember: You have 2 weeks from the date of your auto accident to seek medical treatment to receive reimbursement, and since there is a high volume of fraudulent insurance claims, yours could be investigated for up to 60 days.
Can I Sue Under the No-Fault Law in Florida?
If your medical costs exceed $10,000, you have the right to sue in the state of Florida regardless of whether or not your injuries are severe.
So, if your medical bills total more than the $10,000 your PIP insurance will cover, you may sue the other driver for the additional amount.
If you are the one being sued, it might be wise to invest in bodily injury coverage. This allows the complainant to sue your bodily injury insurance instead of you.
At Corry Law Firm, we know that personal injury can be stressful and confusing to navigate alone. To learn more about PIP insurance and how to navigate the auto claims process, call us at (850) 391-2365 or send us a message for your free legal consultation in Tallahassee and throughout the state of Florida. Just remember that we don’t win unless you do.