Extended Personal Injury Protection in Florida
Florida has one of the highest road accident rates in the United States. The victim of the accident goes through a lot of physical, mental, and financial distress if the accident causes harm.
While there are laws allowing the injured party to claim compensation for their losses, the process is lengthy. This could lead to significant delays in accessing funds to cover immediate expenses, such as medical costs.
To deal with this situation, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has made a compulsory auto insurance requirement for all drivers across the state. It’s called extended Personal Injury Protection in Florida (PIP).
Let us know more about extended PIP in Florida in today’s blog.
What is Extended PIP Florida?
Personal Injury Protection is a mandatory “No-Fault” car insurance coverage in Florida. It covers the medical expenses for you and your passengers after you’re injured in a car accident. It also pays for you when you’re a passenger in someone else’s car or if you’re hit by a car when you’re a pedestrian or cyclist.
Extended PIP was created to provide injured drivers with a certain amount of medical coverage. Since it is “No-Fault” car insurance, it provides coverage for everyone, regardless of who’s at fault. Even the driver who caused the accident is entitled to it for their medical expenses, provided they have the correct personal injury protection insurance coverage.
How Does Extended PIP Benefit Auto Drivers?
If you own a vehicle registered in Florida, you can get the following advantages of PIP coverage –
- After being involved in a vehicle accident, you can feel reassured that you will receive money to help cover the costs incurred by your medical treatment.
- Compensation for medical treatment is usually paid back to injured drivers quickly, so there is no long wait to be reimbursed for medical costs.
- The process reduces the need for drivers to argue back and forth, attempting to apportion blame and obtain the compensation they are owed.
- Even if you were at fault and caused the accident, you will still be entitled to claim your medical cost,s as your PIP will help cover your medical bills.
- It reduces the number of cases relating to accident claims going to court.
Parties with PIP coverage get coverage on a first-party basis for their injuries. It typically covers –
Medical Costs
In Florida, you can choose whether you want your PIP to cover just yourself or other residents in your household. You get a claim for the following –
- Medical Services and Medication
- Surgical Services and Hospital Expenses
- Rehab Costs
- Diagnostic Services
- Ambulatory Services
The limitation with PIP in Florida is unlike other states, it covers only 80% of your medical costs.
Economic Benefits
In the unfortunate event of an accident that causes the person involved to become disabled, Florida PIP pays for 60% of the lost wages, subject to a $10,000 limit.
Death Benefits
If the policyholder were killed in the accident, PIP pays for their funeral and burial expenses in addition to the benefits listed above. The person’s next of kin is entitled to $5,000 for those associated costs.
How Much Does PIP Cost in Florida?
In Florida, the minimum and the maximum amount of PIP you can have is $10,000. However, you can reduce your premium’s cost through several options.
You can opt for a higher deductible — the maximum being $1,000. When you get a quote, you can choose to exclude work loss or whether you want your PIP to cover the residents of your household. In either case, compare quotes from multiple local insurers to get an affordable rate.
How do you file a PIP claim in Florida?
There are the following rules when it comes to filing a PIP claim in Florida –
- Treatment for injuries must occur within two weeks of the car accident to be eligible for PIP reimbursement.
- Your insurer can investigate your claim for any falsehood for up to 60 days. Regardless, they must pay for your damages within 30 days, even if there is suspicion.
- For the work loss benefits, you must submit a “Wage and Salary” verification that your employer fills out.
Contact us at Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Extended Personal Injury Protection in Florida?
Extended Personal Injury Protection (Extended PIP) is optional additional insurance coverage that extends beyond Florida’s mandatory $10,000 PIP coverage. It provides higher benefit limits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs resulting from auto accident injuries, regardless of who was at fault.
2. How does Extended PIP differ from standard PIP coverage?
Standard PIP in Florida covers 80% of necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to a $10,000 limit. Extended PIP increases these benefit limits, potentially covering up to $100,000 or more in medical expenses and lost wages, depending on the policy you select.
3. Is Extended PIP required in Florida?
No. While basic PIP coverage of $10,000 is mandatory for all registered vehicle owners in Florida, Extended PIP is optional additional coverage you can purchase to enhance your protection.
4. Who should consider purchasing Extended PIP coverage?
Extended PIP is particularly valuable for:
- Individuals without health insurance or with high-deductible health plans
- People with physically demanding jobs where injuries could significantly impact income
- Families with multiple drivers
- Those seeking more comprehensive protection against medical costs and lost wages
5. What additional benefits does Extended PIP provide?
Extended PIP typically offers:
- Higher medical expense coverage limits
- Increased lost wage benefits
- Extended essential services coverage (help with household tasks during recovery)
- Higher death benefits
- Lower or no deductibles in some policies
6. How does Florida’s no-fault insurance system work with Extended PIP?
Florida’s no-fault system means your own insurance pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the accident. Extended PIP functions within this system but provides higher benefit limits. For serious injuries exceeding PIP coverage, you can still pursue claims against at-fault parties.
7. Does Extended PIP cover passengers in my vehicle?
Yes. Extended PIP covers you, relatives living in your household, passengers in your vehicle (who don’t have their own PIP coverage), and authorized vehicle drivers.
8. How do I purchase Extended PIP coverage?
Contact your auto insurance provider and request Extended PIP coverage. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best coverage and rates for your situation.
9. Can Extended PIP be used alongside health insurance?
Yes. Extended PIP typically serves as primary coverage for auto accident injuries, with your health insurance covering costs that exceed your PIP limits. This coordination can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
10. Does Extended PIP cover long-term or permanent injuries?
Extended PIP provides more coverage than standard PIP for long-term injuries, but it still has limits. For severe permanent injuries, you may need to pursue additional compensation through Bodily Injury liability claims against at-fault drivers.
