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PIP coverage explained

The state of Florida is what is known as a " No Fault " state for automobile accidents. This simply means if you are in an automobile accident in Florida, regardless of which driver is at fault for the collision, you look to your own automobile insurer to pay a portion of your medical expenses and wage loss under your PIP ( Personal Injury Protection ) coverage caused by any bodily injuries you sustained in the accident. This PIP coverage protects you against any losses you sustained as a result of injuries from an automobile accident and pays 80% of reasonable, necessary and accident related medical expenses and 60% of your gross wage loss for time missed from work due to your accident related injuries.

A standard PIP policy is limited to 10,000 in coverage that covers your medical expenses, gross wage loss and mileage costs for your transportation to and from doctor appointments. You can also elect a deductible under your PIP coverage of up to 1,000 which means you would be self-insured for the deductible amount as you would have to pay this amount out of your own pocket before your PIP coverage would start paying. Once your 10,000 in PIP benefits are used up or exhausted then your PIP insurer has no further obligations to pay any more benefits under your PIP policy.

After an automobile accident, in order to be eligible for your PIP benefits, your automobile insurer needs to be put on notice of the accident. This means you need to call your automobile insurer and inform them about the accident so they can open a claims file on your behalf and assign a claims number for your file. You will need to complete a PIP application form regarding your injuries, any medical providers you are or have treated with, how the accident happened and your employment information, if applicable. This PIP application form includes authorizations signed by you allowing your PIP insurer to obtain medical records and bills, as well as employment confirmation and information before your PIP insurer is legally and contractually obligated to pay 80% of your accident related medical expenses and 60% of your accident related gross wage loss for time missed from work due to your injuries.

Unlike some health insurance plans, you do not need pre-approval or pre-authorization from your PIP insurer before initiating medical treatment and are free to choose treatment with any licensed medical provider whether it's an M.D. ( Doctor of Medicine ), D.C. ( Doctor of Chiropractic ), D.O. ( Doctor of Osteopathy ), P.T. ( Physical Therapist ), L.M.T. ( Licensed Massage Therapist ) or any other licensed medical provider or specialist.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident and sustained bodily injuries and have any questions regarding your PIP coverage and benefits, please call The Nuebel Law Firm today at 407-703-5999 so that we may help and assist you.

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