Florida’s no-fault system requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays for certain expenses after a crash regardless of fault. Understanding how it works is critical to protecting your claim.
Florida’s no-fault law requires drivers to carry two types of coverage: $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL).
PIP is what makes Florida a no-fault state. It pays for certain expenses after a crash, regardless of who caused it. That allows injured people to get medical care and partial wage replacement without waiting for fault to be determined.
Florida as a no-fault state
Florida adopted its no-fault system in 1971 to speed up access to treatment and reduce the number of lawsuits after accidents.
Under this system:
- PIP covers your medical bills and lost wages
- PDL covers damage you cause to someone else’s property
If you do not maintain these coverages, your license and vehicle registration can be suspended.
What PIP covers
PIP provides up to $10,000 in combined benefits if your injuries qualify as an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC). If they do not, benefits are capped at $2,500.
Coverage generally includes:
- Medical expenses: Hospital care, diagnostic testing, ambulance services, prescriptions, and certain chiropractic or dental treatment
- Lost wages: 60% of income lost while you are unable to work, along with some replacement services
- Death benefit: Up to $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses
To qualify, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Waiting longer can result in a complete loss of PIP benefits.
Authorized providers
PIP only covers treatment that is provided, prescribed, or supervised by licensed medical professionals. This includes physicians, hospitals, dentists, chiropractors, and emergency medical providers.
Certain services, such as massage therapy and acupuncture, are not covered under Florida PIP.
Who is covered under PIP
PIP coverage typically applies to:
- you as the policyholder
- passengers in your vehicle
- family members living in your household
- pedestrians and bicyclists struck by your vehicle
- you or your relatives while driving another insured vehicle with permission
Exclusions from PIP coverage
There are situations where PIP benefits may not apply. These include:
- intentional self-inflicted injuries
- injuries sustained while committing a felony
- occupying a stolen vehicle
- using a personal vehicle for rideshare or delivery without proper coverage
- motorcycle accidents, which require separate coverage
Limitations of PIP
While PIP provides quick access to benefits, it has clear limits.
- Coverage caps: Benefits are limited to $10,000, or $2,500 without an EMC diagnosis
- No pain and suffering: PIP does not cover non-economic damages
- Deductibles: Your policy may include a deductible that reduces available benefits
Because of these limitations, many serious injury cases require pursuing additional compensation beyond PIP.
When you can step outside PIP
Under Florida law, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the “serious injury threshold.”
This includes:
- permanent loss of an important bodily function
- permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- significant scarring or disfigurement
- death
If your case meets one of these thresholds, you may be able to recover damages beyond PIP, including pain and suffering.
Important deadlines
- 14 days: You must seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for PIP
- PIP disputes: You generally have up to 5 years to bring a breach of contract claim against your insurer
- Personal injury lawsuits: Typically 2 years from the date of the accident (updated Florida law)
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
Florida’s no-fault system can be confusing, especially when injuries are serious. A Jacksonville car accident lawyer can help you understand your coverage, protect your claim, and pursue compensation beyond PIP when it applies.