New PIP Law Limits The Right Of Florida Car Accident Victims

As Florida car accident attorneys we are continually battling to protect the rights of the Florida drivers. Florida Auto insurers have long been trying to eliminate or significantly revise the No-Fault coverage available to policy holders. Under Florida’s No-Fault law, any person injured as a result of an auto accident or where a car was involved in causing an injury in any way is entitled to up to $10,000.00 in benefits to cover a percentage of medical bills and lost wages. Under the current law, the insured could choose any doctor from any specialty to treat their injuries. If it was a minor neck, back or shoulder injury, an insured could choose chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, or acupuncture.

What does the new PIP law change?

The new PIP law will now limit what medical treatment will be covered. The goal of the new law allegedly is to curb fraud, reduce overtreatment, and reduce premiums. As Florida auto accident lawyers we agree that fraud should be aggressively targeted, however; the limits proposed by the new law will likely have little meaningful effect on reducing premiums. The new pip law will eliminate payments for massage therapy and acupuncture, and restrict payment for chiropractic treatment. It will be very difficult for any car accident victim to receive extended treatment from a chiropractor.

Florida Drivers will save very little with the New Pip Law

The PIP (No Fault) coverage on most policies is just a small portion of the premium paid. Most of the cost associated with an auto policy is for bodily injury liability, property damage, collision coverage, and uninsured motorist. Even a 10% reduction in PIP coverage would have little effect on the overall cost of the policy. The PIP coverage typically accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of the annual policy premiums. A 10% premium reduction for the No-Fault portion only, on a $1,200.00 premium would save a policy holder about $12.00 to $15.00 each year. For the benefits forfeited, together with the huge anticipated savings by the auto insurance companies, it hardly appears that the consumer gets any benefit at all.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and need assistance with either your PIP claim or you are seeking damages for your injury, then please contact us for a free consultation.