I always hear of this coverage, PIP, what is it, do I need it, and what does it cover?
Florida is a “no-fault” jurisdiction, whereby, regardless of whether or not you are a pedestrian, in a car as a driver or passenger, where it involves a car accident, your PIP coverage is for your medical bills covering certain percentage of your medical and lost wages up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). PIP coverage is available to you whether you are or are not at fault for the accident, which is what the, “no-fault jurisdiction” means. By maintaining “Florida Full Coverage”, from an insurance policy, you will have the following coverage, “10/20/10″, which stands for ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) PIP coverage, with twenty thousand per incident (more than one person), and ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) property damage, also known as, “PD“. In certain situations, such as by example, being in a car accident as a passenger and not maintaining a policy since you do not have a car, you may be eligible for coverage under another’s PIP policy.
When you go to the doctor for care for any injury sustained as a result of a car accident, you provide the medical provider with your car insurance policy and or the claim number providing by the insurance company, and they in turn bill your car insurance for treatment. PIP also covers a certain percentage of your lost wages, but of course that coverage is in combination of the two elements, medical treatment and lost wages, and does not compound for each of these elements independently; meaning, you do not get up to $10,000.00 for lost wages and an additional $10,000.00 for medical treatment. Also, PIP covers a percentage of medical treatment and lost wages.
Is it possible to get additional medical coverage on my policy above the $10,000.00 PIP?
Absolutely, and recommended. There is an additional coverage that will subsidize the PIP coverage titled, “Med Pay”, which comes in different sizes. Med Pay covers 100% of your medical bills up to the coverage, and can be available in increments such as, $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 depending upon your insurance carrier. Med Pay coverage is in addition to PIP, and provides you with this additional coverage for your medical bills, but may not cover your lost wages.