What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage?

April 20, 2022
What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage?

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required insurance added to your insurance coverage if you live in a no-fault state such as Florida. Having PIP coverage mainly protects you from paying for medical expenses and lost wages after a vehicle accident.

What Is a No-Fault State?

You may be wondering how being a no-fault state plays into PIP coverage despite it being required in certain states. Florida being a no-fault state means that each party involved in a car accident will file a claim with their own car insurance company, regardless of who was at fault. 

Coverage even protects you if you were walking and were struck by a vehicle. You can still file a legal claim to seek benefits for your injuries and damages in this situation.

What You Should Know About PIP Coverage

PIP coverage is subject to deductibles and other restrictions. While the proper care can go a long way in healing after an injury, your PIP coverage comes with limitations.

When purchasing car insurance in Florida, you will need a minimum of PIP and property damage liability (PDL) coverage. Minimum PDL coverage offers $10,000 per accident, and minimum PIP coverage provides $10,000 per person. Other types of car insurance you can add to your policy may include: 

  • Bodily injury liability coverage
  • Property damage liability coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

What does PIP Cover?

When filing an insurance claim seeking damages, you could seek coverage for the following:

  • Medical expenses: Medical treatment, surgery, ambulance services, in-home nursing services, medical supplies such as prescriptions, and even prosthetic devices if an amputation occurs
  • Lost wages: If your recovery is preventing you from working, you can seek to recover lost wages; you can claim this in some cases
  • Funeral and burial expenses: If the death of your loved one occurs, you can seek to recover expenses for their funeral and burial expenses

What does PIP Not Cover?

When filing an insurance claim seeking PIP coverage, you cannot seek coverage for the following:

  • Property damage: You cannot seek to recover compensation for damages to your vehicle or property inside the car. This would include a lack of coverage of the other party's property if you were at fault in the accident.
  • Excessive medical or lost wages: There is a limit to how much PIP covers based upon your chosen PIP added insurance plan. If there is a need to cover more severe damages or injuries, you may need to file a personal injury claim against the liable party to receive compensation.

What You Should Do After Being Involved in a Car Accident

First and foremost, after a car accident, you need to call the police and move your vehicle to the side of the road if it is a minor accident. If you are well enough to stay at the accident scene, you can do so and speak with responding officers about what happened. Make sure you ask for a copy of the police report before you leave or at least where you can pick one up after it has been completed. 

Follow up with your doctor once you leave the scene, even if you feel well. It's common for injuries to change or develop over time. If you suffered a severe injury, visit your doctor as often as they recommend. If you experience worsening pain or more frequent symptoms, return for a checkup immediately.

Keep all documentation of your car accident. This includes the police report, pictures or videos you took, medical records, receipts, etc. The more proof you have of the accident, the more your insurance company will have to take your legal claim seriously. 

Next, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer with knowledge of car accidents. They will work with you to file a claim for your PIP coverage. Your attorney will keep you updated on the status of your claim and any actions that need to be taken.

What Hiring a Lawyer Can Do for Your Case

Following an accident, you can choose to file a PIP claim on your own, but you could contact a personal injury lawyer to help you. 

Remember that insurance companies are businesses, and they want to pay out as little as possible. So, they will use every tactic they know to discredit your claim. With a lawyer on your side, you can leave the legal work to us while recovering from your injuries.

Call Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Claim

At Dolman Law Group, we can help you file a personal injury protection claim if you've been involved in a car accident. Our firm works on a contingency basis, allowing you to keep your money while we work on your behalf. 

We will only collect a fee if we win or settle your claim. Get in touch with our team for a free, initial case evaluation. Our team can help you file a claim or appeal a denial.