How Florida's No-Fault Auto Law Affects Your PIP Claim

Learn how Florida's no-fault auto law works, what PIP covers, and how to file a PIP claim without losing benefits. Plain-English guide for Palm Beach County dri

TL;DR:** Florida requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000, regardless of fault. You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash or you lose those benefits entirely. Knowing the rules ahead of time is the difference between a paid claim and an unexpected bill. What You Need to Know Before We Start Florida is one of a shrinking number of states still running a no-fault auto system. Under Florida Statute 627.736, every registered vehicle must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). That is the bare legal minimum, and honestly, it is not much. No-fault means your own policy pays your initial medical costs, regardless of who ran the red light. You do not have to prove the other driver was negligent to get your PIP benefits. The trade-off is that the law limits when you can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for additional damages. If you want a broader look at how Florida auto coverage is structured, the auto insurance page on our site walks through the full picture, including liability, uninsured motorist, and collision options. Step 1: Understand Exactly What PIP Covers PIP is not a catch-all medical policy. It has a specific, limited scope. What PIP pays:** 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses, up to the $10,000 limit 60% of lost wages if you cannot work due to crash injuries 100% of the cost of a replacement household service (like hiring someone to mow the lawn while you recover) A $5,000 death benefit What PIP does not pay:** The remaining 20% of your medical bills. That gap comes out of your pocket unless you have health insurance or MedPay coverage. Anything above $10,000 total…