Things You Didn’t Know About PIP Insurance
Many of us know that car insurance is legally required in Florida. But that’s kind of misleading—not all insurance is required. The insurance that is required by law is what is known as personal injury protection, or PIP. If you’re insured, you have PIP coverage.
Here are some common questions that people may have about PIP, what it covers, and maybe even some things you didn’t know about your Pip insurance.
You Have 14 Days to Use It
Many people may delay getting medical treatment after an accident. But that can be very dangerous—not just for your health, but you could lose insurance coverage.
The medical coverage provided by your PIP insurance is only usable, if you seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident that causes your injuries.
Not Just Doctors
PIP is actually pretty broad in allowing you to seek whatever type of medical coverage that you need. Certainly it covers your medical bills from doctors, but it also covers things like therapists, so long as the therapy is performed by a medical provider that is covered under the statute. Acupuncturists are not covered under PIP.
Emergency or Not?
The amount of PIP coverage that you get, will depend on the severity of your injuries.
You can get up to $10,000 in PIP benefits to pay your medical bills—but that’s if you have what is known or considered to be an emergency medical condition. Your doctor must make the determination whether you have a condition that meets this definition (a chiropractor cannot legally make this determination). Conditions that are not considered to be an emergency, are limited to $2,500 in coverage.
Your PIP insurance Company is Not Your Friend
Although it’s “your insurance,” your PIP insurance carrier will do whatever it can to cut off, or limit, your benefits, even though you diligently paid your premiums all these years.
They may try to cut your benefits off early, before you are done going to the doctor, or pay your doctor less than they are supposed to. Your personal injury attorney can help you handle problems that come up with your PIP insurance carrier.
PIP Usually Isn’t Enough
Whether you are entitled to the $10,000 or $2,500 limits, we all know what medical services cost. If you are even moderately injured, or if you went to the emergency room after an accident, it is highly likely that those limits will be met, pretty quickly.
You can get additional medical coverage, called Medpay, to pay what PIP does not, or you can use your personal health insurance. Alternatively, your accident attorneys can help you get medical care in the event you don’t have additional insurance.
PIP also Pays Lost Wages
PIP will also reimburse you for lost wages. But because it only reimburses 60% of your lost wages, as compared to 80% of your medical bills, if possible, it is usually best to use PIP for medical expenses.
Call the West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at Pike & Lustig today about how to handle your injuries after a car accident.
Sources:
thehartford.com/aarp/car-insurance/personal-injury-protection
allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/personal-injury-protection-coverage
