FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I know what coverage I have?
2. What is personal injury protection (PIP) coverage?
3. What type of coverage does pip provide?
4. How do I receive my benefits promised under my policy?
5. How long does it take for my insurance company to pay PIP benefits?
6. Do I have to have no fault coverage?
7. Who is covered under my policy of insurance?
8. Do I have to register my medical clinic under the new PIP statue?
9. How do I know what coverage I have?

1. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT COVERAGE I HAVE?

It is important to know and understand the coverages available under your policy of insurance. If you have any questions, call your agent or the Department of Insurance toll-free at 1-800-342-2762.

All auto insurance policies must include a summary and an outline of coverage in clear understandable terms. "Plain language" descriptions must include the following:

• A brief description of the benefits and coverage and a breakdown of how the premium is applied.
• A summary of what is or is not covered under specific conditions. This would apply to such items as deductibles and limitations.
• A summary of the policy's renewal and cancellation provisions.
• A description of any credits or extra charges. If you don't have a copy of your policy, you can request one from your insurer.

2. WHAT IS PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION (PIP) COVERAGE?

Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers you regardless of whether you cause an accident (are "at-fault") - hence the name "No-Fault" insurance. PIP is designed to reduce the necessity of suing for reimbursement of medical and related bills from auto accidents.

3. WHAT TYPE OF COVERAGE DOES PIP PROVIDE?

PIP pays 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the accident; 60% of lost wages and all reasonable expenses for replacement services such as childcare or housekeeping; and $5,000 death benefits.

4. HOW DO I RECEIVE MY BENEFITS PROMISED UNDER MY POLICY?

You should promptly notify your insurance agent or local claims office if you have been involved in an accident. Any delay in reporting your claim may affect your rights to collect under your policy. Your insurance company will send you a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Application, which must be completed and returned to your insurance company.

5. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY PIP BENEFITS?

PIP Benefits are due 30 days after the claim is submitted.

6. DO I HAVE TO HAVE NO FAULT INSURANCE?

Yes, according to Florida law, if you own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels you must carry $10,000 of personal injury protection insurance (PIP) and a minimum of $10,000 of property damage liability insurance. You may have a deductible of up to $2,000 for PIP coverage and $500 for Property Damage Liability. Penalties for not having the required insurance include loss of driver's license, vehicle registration and tag for three years.

7. WHO IS COVERED UNDER MY POLICY OF INSURANCE?

For accidents that happen in Florida, PIP covers you and relatives who live in your home, certain passengers, and others who drive your car with your permission. Pedestrians and bicyclists are also covered if they are Florida residents.

For accidents that happen outside Florida but inside the U.S. or Canada, PIP covers you and relatives who live in your home. In this case, you must be driving your own vehicle. Persons other than you or your relatives are not covered.

Property Damage Liability Insurance pays, for damage you or members of your family cause to another persons property while driving. The term "property" includes, for example, a fence, telephone pole or building, as well as another car.

Coverage applies even if you drive someone else's car. Depending on the terms and conditions of your policy, it may also include anyone else who uses your car without your permission.

8. WHAT IF AN UNINSURED MOTORIST HITS ME?

Again, regardless of who is at fault, you own insurance carrier will provide the first $10,000 of insurance under the PIP portion of your policy. (This amount may increase if you purchased additional PIP or Med Pay Coverage) You will need to collect from the at-fault driver for any amount over your PIP and Med Pay coverage.

If the at-fault driver is unknown or, if known, has no insurance, you may make a claim against your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage.

If you do not have UM coverage you may be provided UM coverage under the policy of a relative living in your household.

9. DO I HAVE TO REGISTER MY MEDICAL CLINIC UNDER THE NEW PIP STATUTE?

Section 456.0375, Florida Statutes, requires every such clinic to register with the Department of Health. Each clinic location must register separately even though operated under the same business name or management. A Decision Tree is provided to guide you through the process of determining whether your clinic should be registered with this program. Click here to view. This file is in PDF format and requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader (which is free of charge) Click here to download.