What If My PIP Coverage Isn’t Enough to Cover My Medical Bills?

Understanding Florida PIP Coverage

Under Florida law, every driver must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. Depending on the nature of your injuries, PIP typically covers:

  • 80% of necessary medical expenses (up to the coverage limit)
  • 60% of lost wages if you can’t work
  • Funeral expenses in the event of a fatality

PIP is designed to offer quick access to funds for initial treatment without the need to prove fault. However, if you suffer a serious injury, your medical costs can easily exceed $10,000 in a matter of days or weeks.

Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) Limitation

  • Remember that to access the full $10,000 in PIP, you must generally be diagnosed with an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC). Otherwise, you could be limited to $2,500 in benefits.

Turn to Your Health Insurance

If your medical bills surpass the PIP limit, your health insurance can help cover the remaining costs. However, you may face:

  • Deductibles and co-pays
  • Out-of-network fees (if you must see specialists or certain facilities)

Keeping accurate records of all your medical treatments and expenses is crucial to streamlining health insurance claims.

Explore Bodily Injury (BI) Coverage from the At-Fault Driver

Although Florida does not legally mandate bodily injury liability insurance (BI) for all drivers (unless they are found at fault and have had certain circumstances in the past), many people carry it. If the other driver in your accident has BI coverage, you could:

  • File a third-party claim against their insurance for costs beyond your PIP limit.
  • Potentially recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages, especially if your injury meets Florida’s serious injury threshold (significant/permanent injury or disfigurement).

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage

  • If the at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough insurance (or at all), you may turn to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your policy. UM/UIM coverage helps fill the gap left by the at-fault driver’s lack of adequate bodily injury coverage. Many Floridians do not realize they have UM/UIM since it’s often offered as an optional coverage. Reviewing your policy or speaking with your insurance agent can clarify your coverage limits.

Consider Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When insurance options do not fully compensate your losses, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit can allow you to:

  • Pursue compensation for extensive medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
  • Potentially recover more than insurance policy limits in some circumstances—though actual recovery depends on the at-fault party’s assets or umbrella policies.

Tip: Working with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney is crucial if you are considering a lawsuit. Our attorneys can guide you through Florida’s complex personal injury laws, negotiate with insurers, and advocate in court if necessary.

Protect Your Rights and Get the Compensation You Deserve

It’s no secret that medical bills can escalate quickly after an accident, and relying solely on Florida’s minimum PIP coverage may leave you with hefty out-of-pocket expenses. Whether you turn to your health insurer, explore bodily injury coverage from the at-fault driver, or pursue a personal injury lawsuit, acting promptly to protect your legal rights and financial well-being is essential.