Florida is one of 12 states in the United States that is considered to be a No Fault state. Many people see the term No Fault and think that means they won’t have any liability when it comes to a car accident. What No Fault actually means is that your own insurance is required to cover medical costs and lost wages for anyone covered under the policy up to the policy limits, regardless of who caused the accident.

In other words, No Fault is the same thing as PIP, or Personal Injury Protection Insurance. Personal Injury Protection is the most basic form of insurance coverage you can have in Florida. Florida Car Insurance Requirements In Florida, to be legal and get your vehicle registered, any person driving a four wheeled vehicle must carry:

  • $10,000 in PIP or Personal Injury Protection Benefits
  • $10,000 in PDL or Property Damage Liability Benefits

What is PIP Insurance?

PIP insurance forms

Personal Injury Protection is designed to cover medical costs and lost wages for you and the eligible occupants in your vehicle at the time of an accident. It does not cover the occupants of the other vehicle involved, if any, in the accident. Their own PIP coverage is required to cover their costs. PIP will cover costs regardless of who is at fault. It will also cover:

  • Your Children
  • Other Members of Your Household
  • Occupants lacking PIP coverage who don’t own a vehicle

Other occupants in your vehicle who do have PIP coverage will be covered by their own policy. PIP will also cover you if you are in an accident involving a motor vehicle as a pedestrian, riding a bicycle, riding in someone else’s car, or if your child is injured riding a school bus.

What is Property Damage Liability?

car accident property damage

Property damage liability, or PDL, refers to damages you have caused to someone else’s property, such as their vehicle. This coverage will pay for repairs when you are at fault and liable. It will also cover other property such as fences, houses, or building fronts.

What is Bodily Injury Liability?

man with a neck brace holding his neck

Bodily Injury Liability, or BIL, refers to coverage that pays for accidents you have caused that resulted in severe injury or death to another person. It covers costs up to the policy cap amount. It will also provide coverage for members of your family that live with you, even if they were driving someone else’s vehicle, or someone that was driving your vehicle with your permission. BIL will also provide you with legal defense in the event that you are sued by the injured party or parties. Bodily Injury Liability Coverage is not mandatory to have in the state of Florida.

Accident and Injury Clinic

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, contact a professional accident doctor today to address your injuries immediately. Even if you don’t have any obvious symptoms, serious injuries often go unnoticed right away. You only have 14 days from the date of your accident to seek medical care for PIP to cover the costs. Waiting longer could result in a claim denial.

Call Accident and Injury Clinic today to schedule an appointment. It’s always better to be safe today than to be sorry tomorrow.