Auto Insurance - What you need to know about PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
For many of us, buying insurance can be a real pain with confusing terms and language the average Joe isn't used to, it can feel a little overwhelming at times. Abbreviations like PIP, comprehensive, and UM all sound simple enough but once you have a claim you become disappointed to find out your particular claim was either not covered or underinsured and you're stuck paying out-of-pocket for the difference. Fortunately WE'RE HERE TO HELP educate you so you'll be better able to decide for yourself which coverages you feel are important to you.
PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection and since the state of Florida is a "No-Fault" state, your CAR INSURANCE will pay for your medical costs up to your policy's limits if you're in an accident regardless who's at fault. Since Florida has this law, it also means all Floridian residents must buy car insurance with at least the states minimum coverage which is:
· $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)
· $10,000 for property damage liability
So to summarize, PIP pays for bodily injury that results from an accident regardless who caused it. PIP coverage will also PROTECT YOU if you're involved in an accident as a passenger in someone else's vehicle, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist. PIP will also cover other household members in your vehicle as long as they do not own a vehicle because if they own a vehicle their own PIP coverage would protect them.
One last piece of advice is if you have comparable health care coverage, it's usually better to use your health insurance. Using your PIP benefits will often lead to an increase in premiums and sometimes make it more difficult to become insured or find an insurance company that will allow PIP claims on record. It's important to weigh the costs versus the benefits.
Written by Mauricio Rezende