What is the 14-day rule?

You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident to qualify for PIP benefits in Florida. This is an absolute deadline with no exceptions.

How much does PIP pay?

PIP pays up to $10,000 total, covering 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages. If no emergency medical condition is found, benefits are capped at $2,500.

What if my PIP claim is denied?

You have the right to challenge a wrongful denial. We review denied claims and pursue the benefits you are entitled to under your policy.

Does PIP cover motorcycle accidents?

No. Florida's PIP requirement does not apply to motorcycles. Motorcycle accident victims must pursue recovery through other insurance coverage.

Can I sue the at-fault driver if I have PIP?

Yes, if your injuries meet Florida's threshold for permanent injury, significant scarring, or death.

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Florida PIP Attorney

Your Insurance Company Is Required to Pay Your PIP Benefits. We Make Sure They Do.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is Florida's no-fault insurance coverage that pays for medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. Every Florida driver is required to carry PIP coverage. You pay for it every month. But when you file a claim, your own insurance company — the one you have been paying premiums to — may deny, delay, or underpay your benefits. At Florida Advocates, we help accident victims get the PIP benefits they paid for and are entitled to receive. Carlos D. Cabrera spent years as insurance defense counsel before becoming a trial lawyer. He knows exactly why insurers deny PIP claims and how to defeat those denials.

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Florida Statute 627.736 requires you to receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident to qualify for PIP benefits, and missing this absolute deadline means you may lose your right to PIP coverage even if your injuries are severe, a situation that often affects accident victims who believe their pain will resolve on its own, do not immediately recognize the seriousness of their injuries, are focused on vehicle repairs and other logistics, or assume they can seek medical care later when it is more convenient.

Emergency Medical Condition Requirement

To receive the full $10,000 in PIP benefits, an authorized medical provider must determine that you have an emergency medical condition (EMC).

Without an EMC determination, your PIP benefits are capped at $2,500.

An emergency medical condition is defined as:

A medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in serious jeopardy to patient health, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

$10,000

Maximum

Full EMC Benefits

$2,500

Maximum

No EMC Benefits

This is why it is critical to see a qualified medical provider who can properly document your injuries and make an EMC determination when appropriate.

Common PIP Claim Denials

Insurance companies deny PIP claims for many reasons — some legitimate, many not. Common denial tactics include:

14-day rule violation

Insurer claims you did not seek treatment within 14 days. (Sometimes insurers miscalculate the dates.)

No emergency medical condition

Insurer limits benefits to $2,500 claiming no EMC was documented, even when one exists.

Treatment not reasonable or necessary

Insurer denies payment for treatment it deems unnecessary, often based on an insurer-hired doctor who never examined you.

Independent medical examination (IME)

Insurer's chosen doctor disputes your treating physician's findings. These doctors are paid by the insurer and frequently find reasons to deny or limit claims.

Pre-existing conditions

Insurer claims injuries were pre-existing, not caused by the accident, even when the accident clearly aggravated the condition.

Policy exclusions

Insurer claims the accident or circumstances are not covered under your policy.

Late filing or documentation errors

Insurer claims paperwork was filed incorrectly or late.

What PIP Covers

Medical Expenses

Covers 80% of reasonable medical costs, including:

Emergency room visits
Hospitalization
Doctor visits
Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
Diagnostic testing (MRI, CT, X-rays)
Necessary medical equipment

Lost Wages

Provides 60% of lost income if injuries prevent you from working.

Death Benefits

Provides $5,000 toward funeral and burial expenses if the accident results in death.