A crash leaves your mind spinning. One second you’re driving home from work, the next you’re sitting on the roadside, trying to remember what just happened. Someone says, “Don’t worry, your insurance will handle it.”
That sounds reassuring, but in Florida, it’s not that simple. Even when another driver clearly caused the accident, your own insurance often pays first. It’s part of the state’s no-fault system.
This system runs on something called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. It decides how your medical bills and lost wages get paid after a crash.
Our personal injury attorneys at MANGAL, PLLC in Clermont explain how PIP coverage really works, what it pays for, and what you can do when it’s not enough.
What Is Personal Injury Insurance and How Is It Different From Liability Coverage?
Personal injury insurance — officially known as Personal Injury Protection or PIP — is the backbone of Florida’s auto insurance system. It’s designed to pay for your medical care and some lost wages after an accident, no matter who was at fault.
That’s where it differs from liability coverage, which pays for injuries or property damage you cause to someone else. PIP is about you — your hospital bills, your rehab, and your income while you recover.
Think of it as emergency medical coverage built into every Florida auto policy. It helps you get treatment quickly without waiting for an insurance investigation or lawsuit to settle who’s to blame.
However, it’s limited. PIP doesn’t pay everything, and it doesn’t cover pain, suffering, or vehicle damage. That’s why understanding what’s inside your policy matters before a crash — not after.
What Does Florida’s PIP Actually Cover (and What Are Its Limits)?
Florida law requires most drivers to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. But few people realise that this isn’t a blank cheque. Here’s what that really means in practice:
- 80% of medical expenses — doctor visits, hospital care, surgeries, medication, and therapy.
- 60% of lost wages if your injuries keep you from working.
- $5,000 in death benefits paid to the estate or surviving relatives.
To qualify for the full benefit, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash. Miss that window, and your insurer can deny payment entirely.
Also, the full $10,000 limit only applies if your injuries are deemed an “emergency medical condition.” If not, the maximum payout drops to $2,500 — a small fraction of what serious injuries cost.
That’s why people in Clermont and across Florida often find themselves using health insurance, MedPay, or even filing a claim against the at-fault driver once PIP runs out.
What Happens When PIP Runs Out or You Weren’t at Fault
PIP is meant to handle immediate expenses, not the full cost of recovery. For many people, that $10,000 disappears after a few hospital visits. Once it’s gone, you can turn to other coverage options or the at-fault driver’s insurance.
If another driver caused the crash, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim for the remaining bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But Florida’s “no-fault” system limits when you can do that. To step outside PIP and sue the other driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold.”
That usually means:
- Permanent loss of an important bodily function.
- Significant or permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Permanent injury diagnosed by a medical professional.
- Death.
Once those criteria are met, your lawyer can pursue a claim against the negligent driver or their insurer for the full value of your damages — not just the PIP limit.
If the other driver was uninsured or carried minimal coverage, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy can step in. It’s optional but vital in Florida, where many drivers have little to no coverage.
Common Misunderstandings About Personal Injury Insurance
Even lifelong Florida drivers often misunderstand how personal injury insurance really works. Here are the most frequent myths our Clermont team clears up:
- “PIP covers all my medical bills.” It doesn’t. It covers 80% up to your limit — usually $10,000. Anything beyond that must come from other insurance or a legal claim.
- “I can wait to see a doctor.” If you don’t get medical treatment within 14 days, you lose your PIP benefits entirely. Even a quick urgent-care visit starts the clock and protects your rights.
- “If the other driver caused it, their insurance pays first.” Not in Florida. You use your own PIP first, then the other driver’s insurance if your injuries qualify as serious.
- “Health insurance replaces PIP.” Health coverage helps, but it often requires co-pays and deductibles, and it can seek repayment from your settlement later.
- “I can skip UM/UIM coverage to save money.” This is one of the biggest mistakes. UM/UIM is often the only protection you have when hit by an uninsured driver.
Understanding these differences before an accident keeps you from losing thousands after one.
How to Protect Yourself Before and After a Crash
In Florida, the best time to prepare for an accident is before it happens. A few smart choices can make the difference between fast recovery and financial chaos.
Before an accident:
- Review your auto policy once a year — confirm your PIP limit and add MedPay or UM/UIM if missing.
- Keep proof of insurance easily accessible in your car.
- Make sure every regular household driver is listed on the policy.
- Maintain good health coverage — PIP alone rarely covers full treatment.
After an accident:
- Get medical help immediately, even if you think you’re fine. Adrenaline hides injuries.
- Report the crash to your insurer, but don’t give recorded statements without legal advice.
- Save all medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts.
- Take photos of the vehicles, scene, and visible injuries.
- Speak with a Florida personal injury attorney early — they’ll make sure every coverage source is used before deadlines expire.
A calm, informed approach keeps both your health and finances protected long after the crash.
Real-World Scenarios — How Personal Injury Insurance Plays Out in Florida
Understanding how PIP works on paper is one thing. Seeing it unfold in real life is another. Here’s how it usually plays out across Clermont and Central Florida.
Scenario 1: The Rear-End Crash on Highway 27
You’re stopped at a light near Citrus Tower when someone on their phone slams into you. The paramedics take you to South Lake Hospital. The total medical bill? $14,000. Your PIP pays 80% of the first $10,000, leaving a few thousand uncovered. The other driver’s insurer accepts fault and covers the remainder — but only after weeks of paperwork.
If you had MedPay, it would have immediately filled the gap and covered the full $14,000. Without it, you wait.
Scenario 2: The Uninsured Driver
You’re driving through Clermont when an uninsured pickup blows through a stop sign. You break your arm and total your car. Your PIP covers part of the ER visit, but that’s it. Since the other driver has no insurance, your only fallback is UM/UIM coverage. If you didn’t add it to your policy, you’re stuck paying thousands yourself.
Scenario 3: The Serious Injury Threshold
You suffer a spinal injury in a high-speed crash on SR-50. Treatment costs exceed $80,000. Because your injuries qualify as “serious” under Florida law, your attorney can pursue the at-fault driver for full damages — including pain and suffering, future care, and lost income. PIP is only the starting point; the real recovery comes from the liability claim.
Each case starts the same — confusion, shock, and medical bills — but ends differently depending on coverage choices. That’s why your policy setup matters more than most people realise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and MedPay?
PIP is mandatory in Florida for vehicle owners. It covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages after a crash, regardless of fault. MedPay is optional, but it supplements PIP by covering what PIP doesn’t — like co-pays, deductibles, and the 20% balance PIP leaves out.
Do I still need health insurance if I have PIP?
Yes. PIP only goes so far. Health insurance handles ongoing care and specialist visits once your PIP limit runs out. Without it, one accident can drain your savings.
What if I wasn’t driving my car — does my PIP still apply?
Usually yes. PIP follows the insured person, not just the vehicle. If you’re a passenger in someone else’s car, or even hit as a pedestrian, your PIP can still cover you.
Can I use someone else’s PIP if I don’t own a car?
If you live with a relative who has PIP coverage and you’re listed on their policy, you might be covered under theirs. If not, you can claim PIP from the driver of the car you were in.
What if I miss the 14-day treatment window?
Insurers can legally deny PIP benefits. Always see a doctor right after a crash — even if you feel fine. A quick urgent care visit documents your injuries and preserves coverage.
Does PIP cover pain and suffering?
No. To claim compensation for pain, suffering, or emotional distress, your injuries must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, and you’ll need to file against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Can PIP and UM/UIM be used together?
Yes. PIP pays first for immediate bills. If damages exceed your PIP or the at-fault driver lacks insurance, UM/UIM steps in. They’re complementary — not overlapping.
What if I was partly at fault?
Florida follows a comparative fault rule. If you were less than 50% responsible, you can still recover, though your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
Under Florida law, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years from the accident date. Waiting too long can permanently block your right to recover damages.
Ready to Talk to a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Who Explains the Fine Print?
Insurance language can be dense, and Florida’s laws only make it harder. Between PIP limits, medical bills, lost wages, and confusing forms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — especially when you’re already injured.
At MANGAL, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys in Clermont and Central Florida help clients understand how their PIP, MedPay, health insurance, and liability claims fit together. We make sure nothing is left unpaid — and that you get every dollar the law allows.
No hourly fees. No upfront costs. Just real answers and experienced guidance from a firm that fights for Florida accident victims every day.
Whether you were in a minor collision or a major crash, acting early can make all the difference. The clock starts ticking the moment the accident happens.
The road to recovery — physical and financial — begins with one conversation.
