Florida PIP (Personal Injury Protection) pays 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental and rehabilitative care, and 60% of lost income, within a $10,000 limit per person. It also includes a separate $5,000 death benefit. PIP pays no matter who caused the crash, but two rules shape what you actually receive: care must start within 14 days, and without an Emergency Medical Condition finding, medical reimbursement stops at $2,500. PIP does not pay for massage therapy, acupuncture, or pain and suffering.
Every Florida driver must carry PIP, and in Jacksonville it is usually the first coverage that pays after a crash. This guide explains what PIP covers, what it leaves out, and what happens when it runs out. It is general information, not legal advice.
Key facts
- Florida PIP provides $10,000 in medical and disability benefits combined, plus a $5,000 death benefit (Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)).
- PIP pays 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental and rehabilitative services (Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)(a)).
- PIP disability benefits pay 60% of lost gross income or earning capacity, from the same $10,000 limit (Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)(b)).
- PIP medical benefits do not include massage therapy or acupuncture, regardless of who provides them (Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)(a)5).
- PIP is still Florida law in 2026: repeal bills SB 522 and HB 769 died in committee in March 2026.
What PIP covers
Medical care: 80% of reasonable charges
PIP pays 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary care related to the crash. That can include:
- emergency room and hospital care, and ambulance transport by licensed EMS
- visits with medical doctors, osteopathic physicians and advanced practice nurses
- chiropractic care
- X-rays and other imaging and testing, such as EMG and nerve conduction studies, when medically necessary
- physical therapy and other rehabilitative services, on referral
- dental care for crash injuries
Insurers may limit what counts as “reasonable” using a fee schedule based on 200% of the Medicare Part B participating physician fee schedule for most services.
Lost income: 60%
If your injuries keep you from working, PIP disability benefits pay 60% of your lost gross income or earning capacity. This comes out of the same $10,000 as your medical care, so large wage claims leave less for treatment.
Death benefit: $5,000
PIP includes a $5,000 death benefit, separate from the $10,000 medical and disability limit.
What PIP does not cover
- The remaining 20% of medical bills, plus any PIP deductible you chose when you bought the policy.
- Massage therapy and acupuncture, no matter who provides them. Soft-tissue treatment from a chiropractor or physical therapist is billed only when it is part of a medically necessary treatment plan. See our note on chiropractic massage.
- Pain and suffering. PIP pays economic losses only. Claims for pain and suffering involve the at-fault driver’s coverage and are a question for an attorney.
- Care that did not start within 14 days. If initial care was not received within 14 days after the crash, PIP medical benefits are generally not payable.
- Medical care beyond $2,500 without an EMC finding. See the next section.
- Damage to your car. PIP is injury coverage. Vehicle damage is handled by other parts of auto insurance.
The two rules that decide how much PIP pays
The 14-day rule
PIP pays medical benefits only if you receive initial care within 14 days after the crash from an eligible provider: an MD, DO, dentist, chiropractic physician, an APRN registered for autonomous practice, a hospital, or licensed EMS. Our guide to the Florida PIP 14-day rule walks through it step by step, and our Florida PIP, EMC and coverage guide goes deeper on limits.
The Emergency Medical Condition finding
To use more than $2,500 of PIP for medical care, an MD, DO, dentist, physician assistant or APRN must determine that you had an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC). A chiropractor cannot make that determination. If a treating provider determines there was no EMC, medical reimbursement is limited to $2,500.
What PIP pays in practice
| Situation | What PIP generally pays |
|---|---|
| Care started within 14 days, EMC determined | 80% of reasonable medical charges, up to the $10,000 shared limit |
| Care started within 14 days, no EMC | 80% of reasonable medical charges, with medical reimbursement limited to $2,500 |
| Care did not start within 14 days | Medical benefits generally not payable |
| Missed work because of the injury | 60% of lost income, from the same $10,000 |
When PIP runs out
For many injuries, $10,000 at 80% does not stretch far, and it stretches less if lost wages are drawn from the same limit. Depending on your policies and the facts of the crash, other options may include:
- MedPay, optional medical payments coverage, if you bought it
- health insurance, for care after PIP or for your share
- the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, through a claim
- uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if the other driver had little or no insurance
- a Letter of Protection from a personal injury attorney, where treatment is paid from a future settlement
Florida’s negligence deadline is generally 2 years, and a person found more than 50% at fault for their own harm may not recover damages. These are legal questions, so talk to an attorney of your choice about your situation.
PIP after a crash in Jacksonville
Duval County recorded 23,013 crashes and 15,480 injuries in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Many of those crashes happen on the busy corridors most of us drive every day: I-95, I-295, J. Turner Butler Blvd (JTB), SR 9A and Beach Blvd.
If you were hurt, the practical steps are the same: get evaluated within 14 days, report the claim to your own auto insurer, and keep your claim number, adjuster contact and crash report number handy. Common crash injuries, such as whiplash, back strain and concussion, often feel worse over the first few days, so do not wait to see if the pain passes.
Using your PIP at our Jacksonville clinics
East Coast Injury Clinic works with PIP claims every day. Our medical doctors, advanced practice nurses, chiropractic team and physical therapists treat car accident injuries under one roof, and our front desk verifies your coverage before your first visit. Learn more about our car accident injury care. You can be seen at our Southside clinic at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609 (32256), near JTB and I-295, or at our North Jacksonville clinic at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302 (32218), north of I-295. Both clinics offer the same services and the same hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Call (904) 513-3954 or request an appointment online.
Recovery takes different amounts of time for different people, and coverage does not always match what an injury needs. We will be straightforward with you about both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PIP cover in Florida?
PIP pays 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental and rehabilitative care, and 60% of lost income, within a $10,000 limit. It also includes a separate $5,000 death benefit.
Does PIP cover 100% of medical bills?
No. PIP pays 80% of reasonable charges. Your share is typically the remaining 20% plus any PIP deductible you chose. MedPay or health insurance may help with that share, depending on your policies.
Does Florida PIP cover massage therapy?
No. Florida PIP does not pay for massage therapy or acupuncture, regardless of who provides them (Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)(a)5).
Does PIP cover chiropractic care?
Yes, when it is medically necessary. A chiropractic physician can provide initial care within 14 days and follow-up care. To use more than $2,500 for medical care, an MD, DO, dentist, PA or APRN must determine you had an Emergency Medical Condition.
Does PIP cover lost wages?
Yes. PIP disability benefits pay 60% of lost gross income or earning capacity, but they come out of the same $10,000 limit as your medical benefits.
What happens when my PIP runs out?
Depending on your policies and the crash, options may include MedPay, health insurance, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, or treatment under a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection. An attorney can help you sort through them.
How is care paid for at East Coast Injury Clinic after a crash?
After a car accident, care at East Coast Injury Clinic is usually paid through your own auto insurance PIP first. If you have a personal injury attorney, care may also be provided under the attorney’s Letter of Protection, and we accept a limited number of private health plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start.
