PIP (personal injury protection) insurance is mandatory for every registered vehicle owner in Florida. The proceedings surrounding PIP are outlined in Florida Statute § 627.736.
The way PIP works in Florida is by providing up to $10,000 in medical and disability payments for anyone who is injured in a car accident. PIP insurance also provides up to $5,000 in death benefits for car accident fatalities.
The medical benefits of PIP insurance will pay up to 80% of a car accident victim’s reasonable and necessary medical expenses. It will also pay up to 60% of the victim’s lost wages in addition to death benefits. An individual who is eligible for PIP coverage must receive any covered medical care within 14 days of an accident. Failure to do so excludes them from any benefits covered under PIP insurance.
PIP Insurance Can Pay for Some Medical Expenses
Understanding how PIP insurance works in Florida is important for every vehicle owner in the event that a car accident results in serious injuries.
PIP insurance will cover the following medical expenses:
- Emergency medical services
- Hospital or medical facility admissions
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Medical laboratory testing
PIP insurance will not cover medical treatments that are considered non-essential, such as acupuncture or massage therapy.
Economic Losses Covered by PIP Insurance
A car accident can leave its victims unable to return to work immediately. The way the disability benefits of PIP insurance operates in Florida is by paying a percentage of the victim’s lost wages and other expenses.
PIP insurance will pay:
- Up to 60% of lost income per accident-involved person.
- Expenses to cover necessary household help during recovery.
Reasonable disability payments should be paid on a biweekly basis as needed up to the maximum amount of PIP coverage.
Death Benefits Covered by PIP Insurance
The loss of a loved one in a car accident can be a devastating event. The pressure of paying funeral and burial expenses can add to the frustration and stress of surviving family members.
The way the death benefits of PIP insurance works in Florida is by paying $5,000 for each fatality. PIP insurance death benefits can be paid to the executor of the deceased person’s estate. The decedent’s parents, spouse, or children can also receive these benefits.
PIP insurance might also pay death benefits to other qualifying individuals. Speak to a lawyer if you believe you are entitled to receive this coverage for funeral expenses you may have paid for out of pocket.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help
PIP insurance provides limited medical coverage, coverage for lost wages, and death benefits for victims of car accidents in Florida. Again, to qualify for the benefits under PIP insurance, medical care must be received within 14 days of the car accident.
Get the coverage you need in the aftermath of a car crash. If you or a family member were injured, or a family member has been killed in a vehicle collision, speak to a lawyer near you about PIP insurance. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 to learn more.
