GOLDLAW – West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers, Car Accident, Slip & Fall – Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb

Tag: PIP

  • The 2021 Florida Legislative Update: What’s happening with PIP?

    The 2021 Florida Legislative Update: What’s happening with PIP?

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    Florida legislature again considers revisions to auto insurance laws

    Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is a type of insurance required for all drivers in Florida, covering up to $10,000 medical coverage after an accident. There have been many past attempts to repeal the legislation responsible, but so far all have failed. This year SB 54, sponsored by Senator Danny Burgess, will be heard before the senate committee.

    If passed, the bill would eliminate PIP coverage in favor of bodily injury liability coverage. This would pay out up to $25,000 for a crash-related injury or death, or up to $50,000 for injury or death in a crash involving two or more people. (Drivers would retain up to $10,000 in liability for property damage.) At the same time, insurers would also be required to provide medical payments coverage starting at $5,000, with deductibles up to $500.

    Eliminating PIP: Will is reduce or increase car insurance premiums in Florida?

    Proponents of the bill claim it would reduce Florida insurance costs, which are among the highest in the nation.  It’s also been argued that repealing the bill will reduce fraud costs. The Office of Insurance Regulation says that while PIP represents about 2% of Florida’s collected insurance premium, it accounts for almost half of fraud referrals.

    On the other hand, critics of the bill claim that costs would actually go up, citing Colorado as an example. In 2003, the state repealed its no-fault law and instead instituted bodily injury coverage. Premiums went down in the short term, but quickly bounced back. In fact, a 2018 report found that Colorado premiums actually rose more than 50% since 2011.

    Others have expressed concern that repealing PIP would just ship some of the cost burden to either other parts of an auto insurance policy, or healthcare premiums, which are already stretched thin in some cases. Meanwhile, about 13% of Florida drivers are uninsured. In fact, in 2015, Florida reported the highest uninsured rate in the country at 26.7%—more than twice the national average. Four in five uninsured motorists told the Insurance Research Council (IRC) they lacked coverage because of high premium costs.

    Conflicting research shows both an increase and a decrease if PIP is eliminated

    Previous research has been contradictory. A 2016 report by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation projected that drivers would get 5.6% in savings in their insurance premiums if the state moved to a bodily-injury coverage requirement. A 2018 study by the actuarial consulting firm Milliman showed an average increase in premiums of $67, or a 5.3% increase.

    The proposed law change would also allow for “bad faith” lawsuits against insurance companies if there is evidence they didn’t properly look after their clients’ interests. This is another controversial proposal that has previously halted discussions on ending the no-fault system.

    As of the date of this posting, SB54 is on committee agenda for 2/15/2021. It easily passed the first hurdle, the Florida Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee by a vote of 10-2.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • How Do I Claim My Personal Injury Protection Benefits?

    How Do I Claim My Personal Injury Protection Benefits?

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required in the state of Florida, and all drivers must carry this insurance coverage. We are often asked: How do I claim my personal injury protection benefits? And what exactly are my PIP benefits? We answer these questions and more below!

    Drivers in Florida Are Required to Have Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

    PIP insurance is necessary in Florida, and it covers $10,000 of qualifying medical costs (or more if you choose a greater level of coverage) associated with motor vehicle accidents. Drivers cannot choose to carry PIP; every registered vehicle in Florida must have PIP. Your children and any non-drivers injured in an accident are also covered by the insurance that’s in place for that vehicle.

    What is Covered by PIP?

    A successful PIP claim will cover medical bills and lost wages caused by the accident. Coverage isn’t linked to fault, so you’ll be covered no matter who was at fault for the accident.

    There’s a range of different costs that might be covered by your PIP insurance. That includes medical services, medication, surgery and other hospital costs, ambulance services, rehabilitation and diagnostics. In the event of death, things such as funeral costs will be covered by PIP. And 60% of lost wages up to $10,000 are covered, as well as the cost of completing tasks around the home that can’t be completed as a result of your injuries.

    Claiming PIP Benefits

    In order to claim PIP benefits, the treatment you received for the injuries sustained in the crashed must have happened within 14 days of the crash itself. When making a claim, it’s important to understand the coverage is capped at $2,500 for medical attention considered non-emergency.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1604527200331{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][templatera id=”5675092″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1604526215619{margin-top: 60px !important;}”][norebro_heading subtitle_type_layout=”bottom_subtitle” module_type_layout=”on_middle” title=”TW9yZSUyMEZyZXF1ZW50bHklMjBBc2tlZCUyMFF1ZXN0aW9ucyUyMEFib3V0JTIwUElQ” subtitle_typo=”weight~inherit” title_color=”brand”][vc_text_separator title=”Learn More From Our Articles and Blog” color=”custom” accent_color=”#c2903e” css=”.vc_custom_1604524201212{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][norebro_recent_posts post_category=”513″ card_layout=”simple” columns_in_row=”3-3-2-1″ posts_in_block=”12″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • What Is Personal Injury Protection, And Why Do Floridians Need It?

    What Is Personal Injury Protection, And Why Do Floridians Need It?

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In Florida, every driver must hold PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance if they are on the road. But what is personal injury protection? PIP, for short, is mandated by the state of Florida for all drivers to carry. PIP pays for injuries arising from an auto accident, regardless of who was at fault.

    PIP was enacted by the Florida legislature in the early 1970’s to ensure that all Floridians have access to medical care after an accident. While the law is updated in one way or another just about every year, the concept has remained the same for some fifty years, and it’s not likely to go away anytime soon.

    What Is Covered by Florida PIP?

    Florida PIP covers medical costs, lost wages, and death benefits, just like New Jersey and Michigan, but if you are in an auto accident, regardless of who was at fault, your PIP pays for your first $10,000 in medical bills. This is known as PIP benefit. 

    When Is Someone Covered Under PIP?

    PIP insurance covers the owner of a car involved in a collision, and also provides coverage in the following situations:

    • Your children are covered if they’re riding in your car or on their school bus.
    • Giving a lift to someone who doesn’t own a car.
    • If a bicyclist or pedestrian is injured and doesn’t have their own PIP policy (and doesn’t live with a relative who has a PIP policy).

    As you can see, PIP is not just another premium to pay, as you can receive $10,000 or more for injuries regardless of whether you’re at fault for the collision, it can help many accident victims.

    How Would I Claim PIP Benefit?

    To claim a PIP benefit, you must have had treatment within 14 days of the accident, either from a hospital, urgent care clinic, primary care provider, chiropractor, or from emergency medical technicians at the scene of the crash. Learn more about how to claim your PIP benefit here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1604527181412{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][templatera id=”5675092″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][templatera id=”5677596″][/vc_column][/vc_row]