Florida is a no-fault state for injury claims after a crash. This means your own policy is supposed to pay first, even when the other driver caused the wreck. The coverage that starts this process is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It sounds straightforward until treatment begins, paychecks stop, and the insurer starts limiting what it will reimburse. This article breaks down what PIP covers, what it does not, and where people get surprised.
Use PIP fast and document the basics from day one
PIP exists to start treatment without waiting for a fault decision. This benefit only helps if you act quickly and keep clean records. If you want a steady hand early, an Orlando car accident lawyer can help you organize treatment notes, wage proof, and claim forms before gaps appear. Florida ties PIP medical benefits to getting initial services and care within 14 days, so do not wait.
What PIP covers
PIP generally reimburses 80% of reasonable, medically necessary medical expenses, up to the policy limit. It can also pay 60% of lost income when a doctor documents disability. Many policies include a small allowance for replacement services, like help with chores you cannot do while you heal, subject to caps. Death benefits can apply as well. Expect deductibles and delays, even when the coverage is valid.
Be sure to also track how payments are applied. Ask for an Explanation of Benefits on every charge. Confirm the deductible amount, the remaining PIP balance, and whether bills are being repriced. Small accounting errors can shift costs onto you.
The 14-day rule and the EMC cap that catches people off guard
Florida’s statute is strict about timing. If you miss the 14-day window, medical benefits can be denied. Even if you go in time, medical benefits may be limited to $2,500 unless a listed provider determines you have an Emergency Medical Condition. This EMC note is a formal medical finding. Ensure you ask what was recorded, and request your visit notes.
What PIP does not cover, and why the gaps feel brutal
PIP is not car repair coverage. Vehicle damage usually follows an at-fault path through property damage liability, or your own collision coverage. PIP also does not pay pain and suffering, and it rarely makes you whole on wages. You may still owe the remaining 20% of medical bills, deductibles, and anything above the PIP limit. Extended therapy, specialists, and future care can outrun PIP quickly.
Common PIP pitfalls that shrink benefits
Insurers look for reasons to reduce payouts, and gaps in treatment are a favorite. So are vague histories and missing receipts. Be sure to keep a simple crash folder and save prescriptions, mileage, and appointment summaries.
Additionally, get a wage letter that shows hours missed and pay rate. You should also be careful with recorded statements, especially when you are medicated or overwhelmed. If a bill is denied, ask for the written reason and the policy language behind it.
When PIP ends, and when the bigger claim conversation begins
PIP is a first layer, not the full solution. When injuries are serious or costs exceed PIP, you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, and sometimes a lawsuit, depending on the facts and the injury threshold rules.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can matter when the other driver has little or no bodily injury coverage. Be sure to review your declarations page now, not after the crash.
Endnote
PIP is meant to buy you breathing room, not solve the whole claim. Use it quickly, keep your treatment consistent, and save every document that proves what the crash changed. When bills climb past the limit, or the insurer starts trimming payments, that is your signal to zoom out and look at the full path to recovery and compensation. Clean records and early decisions are what protect you later.