Understanding Florida Automobile Liability Coverage. What You Need to Know About PIP
Every since the Ford Motor Company cascaded the personal automobile, more and more people today own a personal vehicle - if not two. Vehicle insurance, however, goes in tandem with vehicle ownership and it differs from state to state. In Florida, personal injury protection insurance (also known as PIP) is required for all Florida registered vehicles. Due to the high cost of medical care today, it's important for Florida drivers to understand what this means.
Being in a motor vehicle accident is serious. From nominal bruises to brain injury, individuals every day sustain many types of medical injuries as a result of car accidents. So, carrying auto insurance that includes medical coverage is vital.
What is PIP?
The state of Florida requires individuals with vehicles registered in Florida to obtain personal injury protection insurance, (also known as PIP) within 90 days of purchasing a vehicle. (The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is serious about this requirement. The DHSMV will suspend driving privileges until a driver purchases Florida insurance and provides proof.)
PIP coverage essentially means that if a driver sustains an injury as a result of a car accident, his or her PIP coverage within his or her auto policy will pay for loss (medical bills) due to the injury regardless of who is at fault in the accident. A driver's PIP will also cover medical expenses for passengers injured in his or her vehicle covered under the policy as well as relatives living under the same roof as the driver.
However, the minimum required PIP coverage in Florida is $10,000 per person, per incident. But higher coverage is available.
If you have sustained injuries in a car accident and have questions about your policy or PIP coverage, contacting a Personal Injury attorney is recommended. Speaking with a Florida auto accident lawyer knowledgeable in this area is vital to helping you seek the maximum compensation available under the law.
