What does Florida PIP actually cover?

Florida is a no-fault state, which means after a car accident your own Personal Injury Protection — PIP — pays your medical bills and lost wages first, regardless of who caused the crash. Every Florida driver is required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. But knowing you have it and understanding what it actually does are two different things. Here is a complete breakdown.

Medical expenses

PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from an accident. That includes emergency room visits, surgery, hospital stays, physician services, dental treatment, and rehabilitation. However, there is a critical distinction: if your injury is not considered an emergency medical condition (EMC), your benefit is capped at $2,500 out of the $10,000 limit. Only a licensed physician, dentist, or certain other providers can classify your injury as an EMC, unlocking the full $10,000 for medical costs.

Lost wages and disability benefits

If your injuries prevent you from working, PIP covers 60 percent of lost wages up to the policy limit. This applies whether you are an employee or self-employed. The same 60 percent benefit extends to disability — if you cannot perform household services you would normally provide, PIP can reimburse the cost of having someone else do them. These wage and disability payments share the same $10,000 pool as your medical benefits, so every dollar paid for one reduces what is available for the other.

Death benefits

If a covered accident results in a fatality, PIP provides a $5,000 death benefit to the deceased's estate or survivors. This is paid separately from and in addition to the $10,000 medical and wage benefit limit. It is not a substitute for life insurance, but it helps cover immediate costs like funeral expenses.

Who and what PIP covers

Your PIP policy covers you, your resident relatives, and passengers in your vehicle who do not have their own PIP. It also covers you as a pedestrian or bicyclist if you are struck by a vehicle. Key exclusions include:

• Intentional self-injury: PIP does not pay if you caused harm to yourself deliberately.
• DUI: Coverage can be denied if you were driving under the influence at the time of the accident.
• Vehicles excluded by policy: Some commercial or recreational vehicles are not covered under a personal PIP policy.
• Treatment outside the 14-day window: You must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident or your PIP benefits are forfeit.

What Truscott recommends

Florida PIP has strict deadlines, benefit caps, and classification rules that can catch drivers off guard when they need coverage most. Understanding the 14-day treatment window and the EMC distinction can be the difference between $2,500 and $10,000 in available benefits. A Truscott policy checkup can review your current auto coverage, make sure your limits are appropriate, and identify any gaps — such as the need for Medical Payments coverage to supplement PIP. Reach out to make sure your policy is actually working for you.