Did you know that personal injury protection (no fault) coverage is required in Florida? When you’re moving to the Sunshine State, you’ll need to switch out your auto insurance. If you don’t already have PIP insurance, you’re required to add that to your policy.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, PIP insurance is required “to provide injured drivers up to $10,000 in immediate medical coverage in lieu of establishing fault through the court system. The goal [of introducing this system] was to reduce payment delay for injured drivers, as well as limit the utilization of the court system.” Regardless of fault, Florida drivers are responsible for their own injuries.

How does PIP insurance work?

PIP insurance covers medical costs, death benefits and lost wages. You can determine whether you want your insurance to cover just you, or everyone in your household. For medical costs, you can expect to be compensated for doctor visits, ambulance services, surgery, rehabilitation and diagnostic costs.

Unfortunately, in Florida, only 80 percent of these costs are covered—the rest will come out of pocket. If your medical situation isn’t deemed an emergency, you may only see $2,500 of your PIP insurance coverage. It’s smart to make sure that your health insurance will cover car accident costs, so you don’t have to worry about paying a lot out of pocket.

If you end up disabled in an accident, PIP insurance will pay up to 60 percent of your lost wages, with a $10,000 limit. This includes services you might be able to perform at home, such as house cleaning, laundry, pet walking and more.

When someone is killed in an accident, PIP pays funeral and burial expenses as well as the benefits above. The next of kin can receive up to $5,000 for those associated costs.

What do I need to know about PIP insurance?

Aside from the fact that PIP coverage is required in Florida, you should know that $10,000 is both the minimum and maximum amount you can sign up for. As you probably know, when it comes to medical bills and lost wages, $10,000 is not a lot of money. It’s important that you have coverage to supplement PIP insurance, such as good health coverage and additional car insurance coverage.

It’s smart to call multiple insurers in order to find the best deal. If you want to cut down on your monthly premium, you can opt for a higher deductible, or decline to cover other people in your household. However, if you’re in a major accident, this might not be enough to provide for your needs. A savvy insurance agent can help you find a deal that works with your needs as well as your budget.

When you need personal injury protection (no fault) insurance in Florida, reach out to Affordable Car Insurance Tampa today. Our team will work to get you the best, most affordable coverage for your budget, vehicle and PIP needs. We look forward to helping you find a great deal.