YOUR INSURANCE RIGHTS

Under the terms of the current Florida Motor Vehicle No Fault Law, an individual involved in a motor vehicle accident is still assured speedy payment of medical bills from his or her own insurance company, even where he or she is clearly at fault. Under the law, every automobile insurance policy shall provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to "the named insured, relatives residing in the same household, persons operating the insured motor vehicle, passengers in such motor vehicle, and other persons struck by such motor vehicle and suffering bodily injury while not an occupant of a self propelled vehicle (this would include pedestrians and bicyclists)... to a limit of $10,000."

Every owner or registrant of a motor vehicle (other than a motor vehicle used as a taxicab or limousine) is required to maintain this coverage. Further, every non-resident owner or registrant of a motor vehicle that has been physically present in Florida for more than 90 days during the preceding 365 days shall maintain the required coverage continuously during the period the motor vehicle remains in Florida.

1.) A person covered under an automobile insurance policy is injured as a result of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle.

2.) The injured party notifies his or her automobile insurance company to report the injury.

3.) The injured party completed an "Application for PIP Benefits" provided by the insurance company, which typically contains information about the accident, the injury and the identity of the health care provider.

4.) The health care provider submits to the insurance company an "Attending Physician Report" typically provided by the insurance company and a medical bill for services related to the injury.

5.) The insurance company is obliged to pay the health care provider 80% of the bill submitted (provided there is no deductible). If the insured has medical payments coverage, this will pay the remaining 20% not paid under the PIP portion of the policy.