- Florida PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost income, sharing one $10,000 limit, plus a separate $5,000 death benefit.
- You must get initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash or PIP can deny the claim entirely.
- Without a diagnosed emergency medical condition, medical benefits are capped at $2,500, not $10,000.
- PIP pays regardless of fault, but it never pays for vehicle damage or pain and suffering.
- To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your injury must meet Florida's serious-injury threshold.
PIP is the coverage Florida drivers pay for every month and understand least. It is half of the state's legal minimum, alongside property damage liability, as covered in what is the minimum car insurance required in Florida. It is also built around deadlines and caps that can shrink a $10,000 benefit to a fraction of that if you don't know them. This spoke of our state auto insurance compliance guide explains exactly how it works.
What PIP Pays
| Benefit | What PIP Pays | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Medical expenses | 80% of necessary and reasonable costs | Up to $10,000 (or $2,500 without an emergency medical condition) |
| Lost income | 60% of lost gross income | Shares the same $10,000 limit |
| Death benefit | Fixed payment | $5,000, in addition to the $10,000 |
| Vehicle damage | Nothing | Covered only by property damage liability, collision or comprehensive |
| Pain and suffering | Nothing | Only recoverable from the at-fault driver if the serious-injury threshold is met |
The Two Rules That Cut PIP Benefits
- The 14-day rule. You must receive initial treatment within 14 days of the crash. Miss it, and PIP can deny the claim entirely, even if pain shows up later. Get checked the same week, even if you feel fine.
- The emergency medical condition (EMC) rule. The full $10,000 is available only if a qualifying provider (such as a physician, osteopath, dentist or physician assistant) documents an emergency medical condition. Without that diagnosis, medical benefits stop at $2,500.
Skipping a doctor visit because you feel 'just sore' is the most common way Florida drivers lose PIP. Symptoms of whiplash and concussion often appear days later. Treatment inside 14 days protects the claim; treatment on day 15 may not.
Who PIP Covers
Your PIP covers you and resident relatives in your household, whether in your car, someone else's car, or hit as a pedestrian or cyclist. Passengers without their own PIP are generally covered by the PIP on the vehicle they were riding in. Because PIP pays regardless of fault, your own insurer handles your medical bills first, then any remaining claim goes against the at-fault driver.
The Gaps PIP Leaves
With 80% coinsurance-style reimbursement and a $10,000 ceiling, a single emergency room visit with imaging can consume much of the benefit. Insurers also offer PIP deductibles, which lower your premium but reduce what PIP pays. Pick a deductible you could actually afford after a crash. Optional medical payments coverage can pick up some of the 20% PIP doesn't pay, and bodily injury liability protects you when you are the one who causes injuries; neither is required, as our Florida compliant drivers program guide explains.
Drivers 55 and older can complete a state-approved course to earn a discount on PIP, liability and collision premiums for about three years. See the Florida mature driver insurance discount guide.
Don't Let PIP Lapse
Because PIP is a legal requirement, a cancellation is reported to the state and suspends your license and plate. See what happens if car insurance lapses in Florida for the fees and how to reinstate.
See what adding medical payments and bodily injury liability would cost on top of Florida's required PIP.
Audit your automotive coverage checklist across liability, collision, comprehensive, and medical defense layers.