If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Florida, one of the first things you’ll hear about is Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP. But what exactly does PIP cover? How much will it pay? And why does it often fall short when you need it most?

Here’s what every Florida driver needs to know about PIP coverage—including the limitations that insurance companies don’t always make clear.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

Personal Injury Protection, also called “no-fault” coverage, is a type of insurance that was created decades ago by insurance companies. Florida is one of only about a dozen states that require drivers to carry PIP coverage.

Under Florida’s no-fault system, the insurance company of each party involved in an accident pays for their own medical bills—regardless of who caused the crash. This means your own insurance pays for your injuries, even if another driver was 100% at fault.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, all drivers in Florida must carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage to legally register a vehicle.

What Does PIP Cover?

PIP coverage is designed to pay for your initial medical expenses following an accident. This includes bills from:

  • Ambulance services and paramedics
  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgery and medical procedures
  • X-rays, MRIs, and diagnostic imaging
  • Rehabilitative services
  • Dental services related to the accident
  • Prosthetic devices

PIP can also provide coverage for a portion of lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working, as well as death benefits for surviving family members in fatal accidents.

By law, your insurance company is responsible for paying these initial medical bills. Payments are typically provided within 30 days from your own auto insurance carrier—not the at-fault driver’s insurance.

The Limitations of PIP Coverage

While PIP sounds helpful in theory, there are several important limitations that often catch accident victims off guard:

1. PIP Is Capped at $10,000

In most situations the maximum PIP benefit in Florida is $10,000—a limit that hasn’t changed since the law was created in 1971. That might have been adequate decades ago, but today’s medical costs are dramatically higher.

A single emergency room visit with imaging and follow-up care can easily approach or exceed $10,000. If you’re seriously injured in an accident, your medical bills could reach tens of thousands of dollars—making PIP just a drop in the bucket compared to your actual expenses.

2. PIP Only Pays 80% of Bills

Even within the $10,000 cap, PIP doesn’t cover 100% of your medical expenses. It only pays 80% of reasonable and necessary medical bills after your deductible.

For example, if your medical bills total $8,000, PIP would pay $6,400—leaving you responsible for the remaining $1,600 out of pocket.

3. The $2,500 Cap Without an “Emergency Medical Condition”

Here’s a limitation many drivers don’t know about: Florida legislators were persuaded by insurance lobbyists to cap the typical $10,000 PIP coverage at just $2,500 in certain situations.

To access the full $10,000 in PIP benefits, a medical doctor (not a chiropractor, who treats many accident injury patients) must certify that you have an “emergency medical condition” (EMC). Without this designation, your coverage is severely limited.

An EMC is defined as a condition with symptoms severe enough that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in serious harm to your health or bodily functions.

4. The 14-Day Rule

Florida law requires that you seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to qualify for PIP benefits. If you wait longer than 14 days—even if your symptoms develop later—you may forfeit your PIP coverage entirely.

This is one of the most important deadlines to remember after any car accident. Don’t assume your injuries are minor just because you feel okay at the scene. Adrenaline can mask pain, and conditions like whiplash often don’t appear until days later.

What Happens When PIP Runs Out?

For many accident victims, the $10,000 PIP limit is exhausted long before their treatment is complete. When your PIP benefits run out, you may have several options:

  • Health insurance: Your health insurance may cover additional medical expenses, though you may face deductibles and co-pays.
  • MedPay coverage: If you have Medical Payments coverage on your auto policy, it can help cover costs beyond PIP.
  • Personal injury claim: If another driver was at fault for your accident, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against their insurance for additional compensation.

Understanding uninsured motorist coverage and other policy options is also important, especially if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.

Can I Sue If PIP Doesn’t Cover My Expenses?

Florida’s no-fault system is designed to limit lawsuits for minor accidents. However, you may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit if:

  • You suffered a significant and permanent injury
  • You have permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • You experienced significant and permanent loss of a bodily function
  • Your injuries meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold”

If your injuries exceed what PIP can cover, speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options for pursuing additional compensation.

Important Reminder: Florida’s 2-Year Statute of Limitations

If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit beyond your PIP claim, remember that Florida’s statute of limitations is now two years from the date of your accident (changed from four years in March 2023 under HB 837).

Don’t wait to explore your legal options. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the more time there is to build a strong case.

Tips for Maximizing Your PIP Benefits

  1. Seek medical attention immediately—always within 14 days of your accident.
  2. See a physician who can properly diagnose whether you have an “emergency medical condition” to access the full $10,000 benefit.
  3. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, bills, and correspondence with your insurance company.
  4. Understand your policy—review your deductible and whether you have additional coverages like MedPay.
  5. Report the accident promptly to your insurance company to start the claims process.

For more information, visit our Auto Insurance FAQ page.

We’re Here to Help

Navigating PIP claims and understanding your coverage options after an accident can be overwhelming—especially when you’re focused on recovering from your injuries. At The Lowman Law Firm, we help accident victims throughout Florida understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.

If your medical bills exceed your PIP coverage or you’re facing pushback from your insurance company, we’re here to help. Our team offers free case evaluations, and we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

With offices across the region, we’re never far away:

Contact us today for a free consultation. You’re our neighbor, not a number—and we’re here to fight for you.

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