Yes. If you register a car in Florida, you are required to carry PIP insurance, and there is no way around it without giving up your plates. But most drivers only learn what PIP does, and what it fails to do, after a crash has already happened.
Our Florida car accident attorneys at Felice Trial Attorneys help injured drivers understand their coverage, and step in when a $10,000 PIP limit falls short of what a serious injury actually costs.
If an accident has left you with bills your PIP will not cover, you have options. Call (561) 444-8822 anytime for a free case review.
Is PIP Insurance Required in Florida?
Yes, PIP insurance is required in Florida for every vehicle with four or more wheels that is registered in the state. The law sets a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, plus $10,000 in property damage liability, and you must carry both to legally register and drive your vehicle.
This requirement exists because Florida's no-fault law requires PIP coverage for all registered vehicles. Under Florida Statute 627.736, your own PIP pays your medical bills and lost wages after a crash regardless of who caused it. It is one of a small number of no-fault states, and its rules surprise a lot of drivers.
How Much PIP Insurance Do You Need, and What Does It Cost?
You need at least $10,000 in PIP coverage to meet Florida's minimum requirement. That is the figure the state mandates, and it is the same whether your injuries are minor or catastrophic. The $10,000 is a combined pool for both medical care and lost wages, which is why it runs out fast in a serious accident.
The premium for PIP itself is usually one of the smaller line items on a Florida auto policy, though total minimum-coverage costs vary by driver and are higher in Palm Beach County and the rest of South Florida. The more important number is the coverage amount, because $10,000 is often nowhere near enough. A single emergency room visit or surgery can exceed it on its own.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover in Florida?
PIP covers 80% of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages, up to the combined $10,000 limit, no matter who caused the accident. It also pays a $5,000 death benefit to the surviving family. It does not pay anything for pain and suffering.
Two rules quietly control whether you keep that coverage:
- The 14-day rule: You must get initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash, or your insurer can deny PIP medical benefits entirely.
- The emergency medical condition rule: You get the full $10,000 only if a qualified provider determines you have an emergency medical condition. Without that finding, your PIP medical benefits are capped at just $2,500.
The lesson is simple. See a doctor right away, even if you think you feel fine, because injuries like concussions and soft-tissue damage often surface days later.
Who Is Exempt From PIP in Florida?
A few drivers are not required to carry PIP, but the exemptions are narrow. Most Florida drivers must carry it, and assuming you qualify for an exemption when you do not can leave you both uninsured and penalized.
The main exceptions are:
- Motorcycles. PIP applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, so motorcycles are not required to carry it. Motorcyclists have no PIP cushion after a crash, which makes an injury claim against the at-fault driver even more important.
- Non-residents, with a catch. Visitors generally do not need Florida PIP, but if you keep a vehicle in Florida for more than 90 days in a year, you must insure it here. This trips up a lot of seasonal residents.
- Certain military members stationed out of state may qualify for an exemption while their vehicle is not being driven in Florida.
What Happens If You Don't Have PIP Insurance in Florida?
Driving without required PIP in Florida triggers automatic suspension of your license, license plates, and registration, and it can last up to three years until you show proof of coverage. You will also owe a reinstatement fee, and the consequences get worse each time.
Reinstatement fees generally run $150 for a first lapse, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense within three years, and a serious situation can require an SR-22 or FR-44 filing that raises your premiums for years. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles enforces these rules through its insurance requirements.
If you are hurt in a crash while uninsured, the picture is far worse. You lose the PIP that would have paid your early medical bills, and if you caused the accident, you can be held personally liable for the other driver's damages.
Did Florida Repeal PIP Insurance?
No. Florida did not repeal PIP, and it remains mandatory. If you have seen articles or search results claiming Florida ended no-fault or eliminated PIP on July 1, 2026, they are wrong. As of the most recent legislative session, PIP is still required on most registered vehicles.
The confusion is widespread and worth clearing up. Lawmakers have filed repeal bills for years, and some listed a July 2026 effective date, which is where the false claims came from. Those bills did not become law. The one repeal that passed the Legislature, back in 2021, was vetoed, and later efforts died in committee.
Much of the misinformation traces to outdated web pages and AI-generated summaries repeating stale claims. Until a repeal is actually signed into law, dropping your PIP would leave you out of compliance.
What If Your PIP Runs Out After a Car Accident?
When PIP runs out, you may be able to recover the rest from the at-fault driver, but only if your injury is serious enough to step outside the no-fault system. This is the part most drivers are never told. PIP caps at $10,000 and pays nothing for pain and suffering, so for a real injury, it is only the starting point.
Florida law lets you pursue a full claim against the at-fault driver when your injury involves permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring, significant loss of an important bodily function, or death. Once you clear that threshold, a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can pursue additional compensation beyond PIP limits, including the pain, lost earnings, and future care that PIP ignores.
Wondering whether your injury lets you go beyond PIP? Call (561) 444-8822 for a free, no-pressure review.
Why Injured Floridians Choose Felice Trial Attorneys
Injured drivers choose us because we treat a serious accident as a case to be won, not a file to be closed, and we prepare every one for trial. We come from an insurance defense background, so we know how carriers evaluate and minimize claims from the inside, and we are reachable 24/7.
About Timothy C. Felice, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney
Founder Timothy C. Felice has represented injured people throughout Palm Beach County and across Florida in car accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases, with particular experience in traumatic brain injury claims.
Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005, Tim earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center after graduating magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University. Many of Florida's largest personal injury firms refer their cases to Felice Trial Attorneys to litigate and take to trial.
Our Car Accident Results
We have recovered more than $85 million for injured clients across our practice areas, including serious car accident and catastrophic injury claims. Every case turns on its own facts, so prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. What our record reflects is a firm that builds cases for full value and is willing to try them when an insurer will not deal fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my PIP runs out after a car accident?
Once your $10,000 PIP is exhausted, you may recover the remaining costs from the at-fault driver, but only if your injury meets Florida's serious-injury threshold. A lawyer can determine whether you qualify and pursue the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that PIP does not cover.
Can I sue the other driver if PIP doesn't cover all my injuries?
Yes, if your injury is serious. Florida lets you step outside no-fault and sue the at-fault driver when your injury involves permanent injury, significant scarring, significant loss of a bodily function, or death. That claim can recover full damages, including pain and suffering, well beyond the PIP limit.
Does PIP cover me if the accident wasn't my fault?
Yes. PIP is no-fault coverage, so it pays your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, up to the $10,000 limit. But because PIP never covers pain and suffering and caps at $10,000, a serious not-at-fault injury usually calls for a claim against the responsible driver too.
Do I need a lawyer to file a PIP claim?
For a straightforward PIP claim, your insurer is paying in full, often not. You need a lawyer when PIP is denied or delayed, or when your injury is serious enough to pursue the at-fault driver for more than PIP allows. A free consultation will tell you which applies to you.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Generally two years from the date of the accident. Florida reduced this deadline from four years to two through tort reform in 2023. Missing it can permanently bar your claim, so it is best to speak with a lawyer early, especially in serious cases that take time to build.
Is PIP insurance mandatory in Florida?
Yes. PIP is mandatory for any vehicle with four or more wheels registered in Florida. You must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection plus $10,000 in property damage liability to legally register and drive. Letting it lapse can suspend your license, plates, and registration.
How much does PIP insurance cost in Florida?
The required amount is $10,000 in PIP coverage. The premium for PIP itself is usually a small part of a policy, but total minimum-coverage costs vary by driver and are higher in Palm Beach County and South Florida. The key point is that the $10,000 limit is often far less than a serious injury costs.
Is PIP insurance required for motorcycles in Florida?
No. Florida's PIP requirement applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, so motorcycles are exempt. That leaves motorcyclists without PIP after a crash, which makes a claim against the at-fault driver especially important for covering medical bills and lost income.
What is the 14-day rule for PIP insurance in Florida?
The 14-day rule means you must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to qualify for any PIP medical benefits. Miss that window and your insurer can deny PIP medical coverage entirely, even for a legitimate injury, so seek care immediately after a crash.
Ready to Talk? The Fee Is Free.
If a car accident left you with injuries and bills your PIP cannot cover, the smartest first step is a free conversation about your options, with no obligation and no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
You do not pay to find out what your case is worth.
Call (561) 444-8822, available 24/7, or, if your PIP coverage runs out after a car accident in West Palm Beach, our attorneys can help. We are located at 3 Harvard Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Felice Trial Attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Case result figures reflect gross recoveries across multiple matters and do not reflect the net amount received by any individual client after fees and costs. Florida insurance laws, statutes, deadlines, and PIP requirements are subject to legislative change, and you should consult a licensed Florida attorney or insurance professional about your specific situation. Deadlines described here, including the 14-day treatment window and the statute of limitations, are strict, and missing them may bar your recovery or benefits.
By the trial team at Felice Trial Attorneys. The material here is general and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific case, speak with a licensed Florida attorney.