If you’re in a car accident in the Sunshine State, your first line of defense for covering medical bills and lost income is likely your own insurance, thanks to the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, which requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
PIP is designed to get funds into the hands of injured drivers (and passengers or other covered individuals) quickly, regardless of who caused the crash.
What Does PIP Cover After a Crash?
Medical Expenses
PIP covers 80% of reasonable and necessary medical costs, up to a total of $10,000 per person. That includes hospital stays, ER visits, surgeries, ambulance transport, diagnostic tests (like X-rays, MRIs), dental treatment, prescription medication, rehab or physical therapy, and other medically necessary services.
To qualify, you must receive your initial medical care within 14 days of the accident.
Lost Wages & Household Services
If your injuries prevent you from working, PIP will reimburse 60% of your lost income, up to the policy’s $10,000 limit. It also may cover the cost of services you can’t perform because of your injuries, like childcare, house cleaning, maintenance tasks, or other household services.
Death Benefits
If a crash proves fatal, PIP provides a $5,000 death benefit to help cover funeral or burial expenses. This death benefit is separate from and in addition to the $10,000 for medical and wage/loss benefits.
Who Is Covered?
PIP applies to: the policyholder; family members living in the same household; people driving the car with permission; passengers in the vehicle; pedestrians or bicyclists hit by a covered driver.
Even if you caused the accident, PIP still applies, reflecting Florida’s “no-fault” insurance framework.
What PIP Does Not Cover (or Covers Only Partially)
While PIP provides valuable benefits, it has significant limitations, meaning serious crashes can easily exceed what PIP will pay.
- PIP does not cover property damage, like repairs to your car or other vehicles. That’s where property damage liability insurance (PDL) comes in.
- It doesn’t pay for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other non-economic damages.
- Lost wages are only partially covered (60%).
- If a medical provider determines your injury is not an “emergency medical condition,” then medical benefits may be drastically reduced, down to $2,500.
- Once your PIP funds are exhausted, you are responsible for additional costs unless you can pursue a lawsuit under the “serious injury threshold.”
Important Rules & Deadlines
- 14-Day Rule: To qualify for PIP benefits, you must seek medical care within 14 days of the accident, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt at first.
- First-to-use: PIP pays out first, even if another driver was at fault.
- Limits: The base PIP policy caps at $10,000 (plus $5,000 for death). That’s why many plaintiffs in serious accidents eventually need a separate lawsuit or other insurance coverage.
If your losses, medical bills, lost income, long-term care, and rehabilitation exceed what PIP offers, the “no-fault” system alone may not be enough. That’s where filing a claim against the at-fault driver and their liability insurance (or a third-party suit) becomes critical, especially if your injuries meet the “serious injury” standard under Florida law.
Why This Matters And What You Should Do
If you’re involved in an accident, know this: the mandatory $10,000 in PIP coverage can help in many typical crashes, but it often falls short in moderate or serious accidents. That’s why it’s wise to:
- Seek prompt medical treatment (within 14 days).
- Keep records of medical care, expenses, lost wages, and any services you had to hire out.
- Understand that PIP won’t replace pain, suffering, property damage, or long-term disability.
- Consider additional options (like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or liability coverage) and consult a qualified attorney if your injuries go beyond what PIP covers.
For injured Florida drivers or passengers, PIP is an important starting point but not the full safety net. Knowing exactly what it covers (and what it doesn’t) can make all the difference in how you recover physically, financially, and emotionally.
Contact a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in a personal injury incident, seeking legal advice is essential to protect your rights. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience seeking justice for accident victims. Our attorneys have sought and won millions of dollars for our injured clients.
Call 850-601-1111 to schedule a complimentary consultation with no obligations. This consultation will help you explore your legal options. Let us help you fight for fair compensation.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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