What Does PIP Insurance Cover in Florida?

PIP — Personal Injury Protection — is one of the most misunderstood parts of Florida auto insurance. Every Florida driver is required to carry it, but very few actually understand what it covers and where it falls dangerously short. Let's break it down.

What PIP actually covers

Florida law requires $10,000 in PIP coverage. It pays — regardless of who caused the accident — for: 80% of reasonable medical bills, 60% of lost wages, $5,000 in death benefits, and limited household services if you can't perform them. PIP follows YOU, not the car — so it covers you as a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist too.

The 14-day rule (this is critical)

To use your PIP benefits in Florida, you MUST seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Miss this deadline and you forfeit your PIP coverage entirely — even for legitimate injuries discovered later. After a crash, see a doctor immediately, even if you 'feel fine.'

Emergency vs. non-emergency conditions

Florida law splits PIP into two tiers. If a doctor diagnoses an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC), you get the full $10,000. If your injuries are NOT classified as EMC, your PIP is capped at just $2,500. This is why proper documentation from your initial medical visit matters so much.

What PIP does NOT cover

PIP does NOT cover: pain and suffering, the other 20% of your medical bills, damage to your vehicle (that's collision coverage), damage to other people's property (that's PDL), or injuries to other people you hit (that's Bodily Injury Liability — and Florida doesn't require it!). $10,000 also doesn't go far when an ER visit alone can hit $30,000+.

How to actually protect yourself in Florida

PIP alone is not enough. We strongly recommend Naples drivers carry: Bodily Injury Liability ($100k/$300k minimum), Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (about 1 in 5 Florida drivers is uninsured), and MedPay to cover the gaps PIP leaves behind. The cost difference is small — often $15–$30/month — and the protection is enormous.

Get a free Florida-smart quote

We design Florida policies that actually protect you, not just the legal minimum. Call (239) 422-9601 or get a free quote online — we'll show you exactly what each coverage costs.