PIP Insurance in Florida
PIP insurance pays for medical treatment after a car accident where the driver or passenger sustains an injury. PIP also applies to other drivers listed under your policy, members of your household and your passengers. In addition, PIP may also cover damages that are usually not covered by health insurance such as lost wages up to a certain statutory amount. In Florida, PIP or personal injury protection in its long form is just another form of no-fault auto insurance. PIP allows for recovery of damages regardless of fault. The law in Florida as it pertains to no-fault insurance provides that when a medical provider renders treatment to an injured person for a bodily injury covered by personal injury protection insurance, that medical provider can only charge for reasonable medical expenses. In this blog post, we will discuss personal injury protection “PIP” in Florida works and how to recover for reasonable medical charges under a personal injury protection insurance policy.
Reasonable Medical Expenses Under PIP
Reasonableness and necessity are essential elements of an insured’s case to recover personal-injury-protection benefits, and the insurer is not liable for any medical expense to the extent that it is not a reasonable charge for a particular service. Reasonableness is determined by usual and customary charges, reimbursement levels in the community, and various federal and state medical fee schedules applicable to automobile and other insurance coverages. What a provider customarily charges or has previously accepted are important factors for determining whether a fee is reasonable. This is especially true where the provider has agreed to accept a certain fee as reasonable payment for the services rendered. Accordingly, if a provider has agreed in a valid and enforceable contract to accept payment for services at a particular rate, that rate would necessarily be a reasonable amount for the services rendered. In Florida, most insureds can expect to see reimbursement for 80% of all reasonable, related, and necessary medical expenses for an emergency medical condition if treatment is obtained within 14 days of the date of the motor vehicle collision. If treatment is for a nonemergency, the insured may be limited to $2,500 in benefits. This is due to an unfortunate new law passed by the Florida legislature that allows insurers to place a cap on the amount they are required to pay out on non-emergency medical PIP claims not diagnosed within the first 14 days following a car crash. If more than 14 days go by without a visit to see a doctor, it is unlikely that an insureds personal injury protection benefits will pay for any medical bills.
Speak with a Miami Car Accident Attorney Today!
Have you suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident in Miami due to another individual’s negligence? If so, you might be dealing with medical bills, property damage, lost time at work, pain and discomfort, emotional stress, and unsure as to your future financial stability. Personal injury protection coverage is meant to make it easier to obtain immediate compensation for your injuries and lost wages after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. It isn’t meant to deny an individual the chance to be properly compensated for serious injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. If you have questions about the process or your legal options after a crash, we can help. The car accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero can help alleviate your worries by fighting for the compensation you are entitled to receive. Let us use our expertise and experience to get you the maximum compensation for your injury. Whether the injury you sustained in your car accident is minor, major, or catastrophic, we will give your case the undivided attention and focus it deserves. The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero represents consumers in various types of car accident claims. Our car accident attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
