Tyler Gross | May 1, 2025 | Personal Injury
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will cover your injuries no matter who was at fault. Plus, you might not be able to sue the at-fault driver for your damages. Dive into all the details below to learn more about the minimum requirements for PIP coverage in Florida.
What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance?
Personal injury protection (PIP) is insurance coverage that will pay for your medical bills after a car accident. In no-fault states like Florida, drivers are required to carry this type of insurance. PIP coverage pays for your qualified expenses no matter who was at fault in the instance.
When you file a claim, no liability must be established. This means that accident victims often receive their compensation more quickly, and fewer claims end up in court. Although there are benefits to PIP insurance, it does have some limitations that will be discussed later.
Minimum PIP Requirements in Florida
PIP insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, all drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP insurance. Drivers may choose to purchase additional coverage beyond this minimum requirement.
Typically, insurance companies offer PIP coverage in increments of $5,000. Some insurance policies may allow you to purchase as much as $500,000 per person or $1 million per accident in PIP coverage. As long as you meet the minimum requirement, any additional coverage that you purchase should be assessed based on your own personal needs.
What Does PIP Cover?
Many drivers wonder what PIP will pay for if they are involved in an accident. PIP details can vary from state to state, but PIP in Florida will typically cover 80% of your medical bills resulting from the accident and 60% of your lost wages. Medical treatments must be reasonable and necessary, and they may include services such as:
- Doctor visits
- X-rays
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Ambulance transport
Remember that PIP will only pay for these items up to your policy limit. If you experience more than $10,000 in damages and someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to hold them accountable for your damages.
The Severe Injury Exception
One big limitation to PIP coverage is that it does not compensate victims for their non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Additionally, it only pays for 80% of your medical bills. If you suffer catastrophic injuries in an accident, even 20% of your medical bills could add up to a substantial amount. If someone else caused your accident, you should not be forced to pay for it out of your own pocket.
Florida law does allow you to sue the at-fault driver in cases involving severe injuries. This allows you to seek compensation for all your damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Depression
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine the best path for getting all the compensation you are owed after an accident. In some cases, PIP coverage may be enough. However, a claim against the at-fault driver may be required in other situations.
Who Does PIP Cover?
It is likely no secret that PIP covers the policyholder and their injuries. However, PIP coverage can also extend to other individuals in some situations. PIP coverage can apply to:
- The policyholder
- Passengers in the vehicle
- Family members of the policyholder living in the same household
- Pedestrians who may be injured by your vehicle
To understand the specifics of your coverage, you should talk to your insurance agent or get help from an experienced lawyer.
Filing a PIP Claim
After an accident, you will want to file a claim with your PIP coverage as soon as possible. Some insurance policies only allow you 14 days after an accident to file a claim for PIP benefits. Missing this deadline can cause you to lose your ability to get any compensation for that accident.
Remember that you should always evaluate all your damages resulting from an accident. You may find that your PIP coverage is much less than adequate to fully compensate you for all your damages. It is always a good idea to seek help from an experienced car accident lawyer to understand your legal options.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in North Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 434-3333
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Navarre Office
9933 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: (850) 757-2898
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Crestview Office
1501 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 407-7726
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Milton Office
6373 US-90
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 790-7790
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Mary Esther Office
151 Mary Esther Blvd Suite 103A
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Phone: (850) 809-0170