What To Know About PIP Coverage In Florida
Despite efforts to change it this year, Florida continues to be a no-fault state when it comes to liability for car accidents. This means that Florida motorists are still required to obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, or no-fault auto insurance, before they can legally drive in the state. It is these PIP policies that, under the no-fault standard, compensate car accident victims for any physical injuries that they sustain in a crash. Because so much relies on these types of policies, it is important for motorists to have a thorough understanding of their PIP coverage. To learn more about who and what PIP policies typically cover, please reach out to our experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers today.
Who Does PIP Insurance Cover?
Personal Injury Protection insurance covers the medical expenses and lost wages of policyholders when they are hurt in an accident as a driver. However, it also provides coverage to policyholders who are hurt as a passenger in a vehicle that someone else is driving. This is true regardless of who was at fault for the crash. PIP also covers:
- Any relatives who live in the policyholder’s home;
- Passengers who don’t own their own vehicles or who don’t have coverage; and
- Those who drive a policyholder’s vehicle with his or her permission.
Even pedestrians and cyclists can use their PIP insurance to pay for their injuries if they are hurt in a car accident. For accidents that occur outside of Florida, PIP insurance should cover policyholders and their relatives, but only if the former is driving his or her own vehicle.
What Does PIP Cover?
PIP insurance covers 80 percent of all medical expenses that result from a covered injury, up to $10,000 (minus a policyholder’s deductible amount). Besides reimbursement for the medical expenses of the injured party, PIP insurance also covers 60 percent of a policyholder’s lost wages if he or she is unable to work due to the severity of the injury. PIP insurance also covers 100 percent of replacement services, so injured parties can use the funds to hire someone to help with household chores, run errands, or provide childcare. Finally, PIP coverage provides up to $5,000 for any accident-related deaths. It’s important to note that, to be entitled to PIP benefits, a policyholder must receive initial services and care within two weeks of the crash.
Call Today for Help with Your Case
PIP insurance was put in place to cover drivers who are injured in accidents, regardless of who was actually at fault for the crash. There are, however, certain rules that go along with these policies, including a 14 day treatment requirement. Unfortunately, PIP policies can quickly become exhausted, even for minor injuries, which can leave victims with unpaid accident-related expenses. For help collecting under your PIP policy, or for assistance recovering the remainder of your losses from the at-fault party who caused your crash, please reach out to the dedicated Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers at Boone & Davis today. You can speak with a member of our legal team by calling 954-566-9919, or by sending us an online message.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
