Florida Personal Injury Blog
MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER EXPLAINS THE COMPEXITIES OF PIP INSURANCE IN FLORIDA
Despite a push to repeal PIP (Personal Injury Protection), which is mandatory for all registered motor vehicle owners in Florida, nothing has happened, and PIP remains the same for now. With law makers, lawyers, and insurance companies scrambling to make changes to this complex type of coverage, Florida governors decided to keep PIP by vetoing every proposed amendment.
Why is PIP such a disarraying form of automobile insurance and who does it benefit in the event of an accident that leads to personal injury to drivers, passengers, or innocent bystanders?
In Miami, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury lawyer and founder at the Perazzo Law Firm, explains PIP in more detail.
Though considered “No Fault” in other parts of the United States, PIP was designed to cover medical costs from injuries incurred in a motor vehicle regardless of fault. And since 1972 when it was applied to the insurance scheme, it has been somewhat baffling to the average Florida motorist and has fallen short when it comes to covering the high costs of medical attention to treat even minor injuries from a car accident. It’s highly important to highlight that PIP coverage is mandatory for all motor vehicle operators and registered motorists in the State of Florida, with visitors that plan to spend more than 90 days in the State, must purchase it from an insurance provider. The aim of PIP is also aimed at reducing the number of lawsuits stemming from injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
What does PIP cover and how does PIP work?
PIP aims to cover the insurance policy holder’s medical expenses for at least $10,000. However, it goes beyond medical care and broken down like this:
- 80% of all medical costs. Accident victims or PIP policy holders must keep in mind that an MRI can cost $4000, if not more depending on the medical facility.
- If medical expenses do not reach $10,000, the rest can go towards:
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Diagnosis expenses
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death – Funeral expenses
- Injury to passengers
How does PIP fall short of fulfilling the needs of motorists injured in an accident?
$10,000 does not go a long way when personal injury to motorists is serious and surgery is required. Furthermore, when personal injuries are severe, there may extensive therapy and lost wages. Jonathan Perazzo, an experienced car accident and insurance claim lawyer, knows that PIP, though relatively affordable, does little to help accident victims that suffer personal injury. With vast experience dealing with insurance claims and lawsuits, registered motor vehicle owners can opt for BI (Bodily Injury) coverage or UM (uninsured motorist) coverage to compliment PIP. According to Jonathan Perazzo, UM is perhaps the most valuable asset for a motorist as it covers the policy holder in the event another driver does not carry any insurance at all. It’s important to highlight that as inflation and unemployment surge in the United States under the current administration, more and more drivers will not be able to afford PIP, and thus, not carry any insurance with which to cover injury or losses to other motorists or passengers. MedPay is also a good option for complimenting PIP as it extends coverage to cover medical expenses.
What to do in the event of an accident involving personal injury to drivers or passengers:
In Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm strongly urges motor vehicle accident victims to report the accident immediately to the police, regardless of the severity of the collision. No car accident should be taken lightly and thus, it should be reported to the police. After reporting the accident, the Perazzo Law Firm, like the best Miami car accident lawyers, agree that seeking follow-up medical care is vital if the accident resulted in personal injury to drivers or passengers. It’s important for car accident victims to keep all medical records and to contact Jonathan Perazzo for a FREE initial consultation to find out a possible insurance claim for compensation to cover medical expenses and losses.
The Perazzo Law Firm shares brief insight on Insurance Policy Coverage options for Florida Motorists
OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGE OPTIONS:
BODILY INJURY LIABILITY INSURANCE (BI): Although not required by law, Bodily Injury (BI) is suggested to those who can afford to purchase it. BI gives the insured party with monetary coverage if at fault for personal injury or wrongful death to passengers or others.
UMBRELLA INSURANCE POLICY: Though not very popular, an Umbrella Insurance Policy provides added liability insurance (to your homeowner policy) used to safeguard the policy holder in the event of extraordinary claims and lawsuits by injured or deceased parties from car accidents in Miami and Florida for which the policy holder is held legally liable.
COLLISION: A vehicle which crashes into object such as trees or light-poles, will experience damage, be it a busted headlight, windshield, deployed airbag, or even total destruction. Collision insurance helps cover the cost of the vehicle owner’s repairs or replacements of the parts needed to replace those damaged in an accident.
GUARANTEED AUTO PROTECTION INSURANCE (GAP): This type of insurance policy coverage offers a difference between a vehicle’s current monetary value and the amount still owed to the financial institution or company owed through a personal loan, dealer leasing contract, etc. GAP insurance is common on brand-new vehicles or trucks used for commercial purposes because their depreciation is so high in the beginning.
COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE: Comprehensive insurance is not mandatory for registered vehicle owners in Miami; thus, each vehicle owner can choose whether to insure their vehicle with comprehensive insurance. It provides coverage for a vast range of incidents that may cause damage to vehicles not caused by negligence.
CAR RENTAL INSURANCE: There are insurance providers that offer added coverage to include rental cars in Miami or any other touristic Florida city. The Miami based Perazzo Law Firm considers it best for policyholders to check with their Florida insurance providers before purchasing the insurance policy car rental companies offer their customers.
MedPay. Medical Payment Coverage is offered to motorists as a supplement to their current insurance policy and aims to help cover the medical expenses stemming from injuries sustained in a car accident regardless of which driver was at fault. In Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm informs motorists that MedPay helps cover the medical expenses for both the driver of the registered vehicle as well as any passengers that suffer personal injury in the car accident.
SEE: INSURANCE POLICIES FOR FLORIDA MOTORISTS.
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? CONTACT THE JONATHAN PERAZZO AT 888:PERAZZO OR (786) LAWS-411 NOW FOR A
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
At the Perazzo Law Firm, the entire staff is fully dedicated to their client’s need and strives for their client’s best interests and full satisfaction when seeking financial compensation for injuries and losses from a car or truck accident in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange County.