Florida PIP Coverage Explained: What It Pays After a Car Crash (and What It Does Not)

Personal Injury Protection, otherwise known as PIP, is insurance that pays an insured for their injuries suffered in a car crash. Whether the insured was at-fault for having caused the accident or an injury victim, PIP stands to pay a person for damages suffered as a result of a car crash. 

Every driver must carry at least $10,000 of PIP insurance coverage in order to legally operate a vehicle in Florida. While PIP insurance certainly helps when it comes to injuries and damages suffered in a car accident, it does not cover every loss an injured driver may suffer. 

What Does PIP Insurance Pay For After a Car Crash?

Both medical bills and lost wages are covered by PIP insurance. PIP insurance can also be used to pay for out-of-pocket costs, such as the need to hire someone to provide child care or perform other services for your family. 

Consider that PIP insurance pays 80 percent of medical bills an injured driver incurs up to their policy limit. Lost wages are covered up to 60 percent. The aforementioned replacement services (child care and other household services) are covered up to 100 percent for those losses. 

Interestingly enough, PIP covers your children while they are in your vehicle, but also when they are riding with another driver whose vehicle is not covered under your car insurance. Passengers in your vehicle who are not covered by car insurance of their own may also be able to receive compensation through your own PIP insurance. 

In What Scenarios Will PIP Insurance Cover Your Losses?

Because Florida is a No-Fault state, any driver injured in a car crash is entitled to compensation for their injuries and other damages suffered. PIP insurance also applies to injuries suffered while a passenger in another person’s vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians can take solace in knowing that their PIP insurance can also pay them for losses suffered if they are injured while riding a bike or walking.

What Does PIP Insurance Not Pay For?

PIP Insurance does not apply in the event of a very serious car crash. It is in these situations where the Florida no-fault driving laws do not apply. In that type of crash, damages may be sought against the other driver and their insurance company. 

A serious, permanent injury would need to result from the car crash for PIP insurance not to apply. Spinal cord injuries, head injuries, or crashes that result in chronic musculoskeletal injuries are of a serious nature and may place a driver outside of PIP consideration. In these situations, it is best to consider reaching out to an experienced South Florida car accident attorney.

Contact Difilippo & Pica, PLLC For a Free Case Review

As South Florida car accident attorneys, Difilippo & Pica, PLLC help clients when they need it most. Our team gets to know each of our clients and their goals to best serve their needs. Contact our office today for a free case review.