What Does Florida PIP Actually Cover?

Florida PIP — Personal Injury Protection — pays for your medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is required by Florida law with a minimum limit of $10,000, and it is the foundation of Florida's no-fault auto insurance system.

What PIP pays for

• Medical expenses: PIP pays 80% of reasonable and necessary medical costs, including emergency room visits, surgery, doctor visits, physical therapy, and diagnostic tests. The other 20% is your responsibility.
• Lost wages: PIP pays 60% of lost income if your injuries prevent you from working. This includes salary, hourly wages, and self-employment income.
• Death benefits: PIP provides $5,000 in death benefits to the estate of a covered person killed in an auto accident.
• Household services: If your injuries prevent you from performing normal household tasks, PIP may cover the cost of hiring someone to do them.

The 14-day rule

This is one of the most important and most misunderstood rules in Florida auto insurance. To receive PIP benefits, you must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If you wait 15 days or longer, you forfeit your PIP coverage entirely for that accident. It does not matter how serious your injuries are — miss the deadline and PIP will not pay. Always see a doctor promptly after any accident, even if you feel fine initially.

The $10,000 limit and its tiers

Florida PIP provides up to $10,000 in combined medical and lost wage benefits. However, if a physician or certain qualified providers determine you have an emergency medical condition, you get the full $10,000. If your condition is not deemed an emergency, your medical benefits are capped at $2,500. This makes the initial medical evaluation critically important — it determines how much PIP coverage is available to you.

What PIP does not cover

PIP does not cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, or property damage. It does not pay 100% of your bills — you are responsible for the 20% medical copay and 40% of lost wages that PIP does not cover. And the $10,000 limit can be exhausted quickly with serious injuries, leaving you responsible for costs beyond that amount.

What Truscott recommends

PIP is your first line of defense after a Florida auto accident, but $10,000 does not go far with today's medical costs. We recommend pairing PIP with adequate uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage to fill the gaps. At Truscott, we build Florida auto policies that go beyond the minimum. Request a Truscott coverage review and we will make sure your medical protection is complete.