What does Florida PIP cover after a car accident?
By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026
The basics
- $10,000 limit for medical and disability benefits combined, per person (s. 627.736(1)).
- Medical: 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental, and rehabilitative services, if you get initial care within 14 days (s. 627.736(1)(a)).
- Lost income: 60% of lost gross income and earning capacity, plus reasonable costs of replacement household services (s. 627.736(1)(b)).
- Death benefit: $5,000, in addition to the $10,000 (s. 627.736(1)(c)).
- No-fault: PIP pays regardless of who caused the crash.
- Your policy may have a deductible or other options that change what you receive. Check your declarations page.
The $2,500 vs. $10,000 question (EMC)
Medical benefits can go up to $10,000 only if a medical doctor, DO, dentist, physician assistant, or APRN determines you had an emergency medical condition. If a provider determines you did not, medical benefits are limited to $2,500 (s. 627.736(1)(a)3.–4.). Chiropractors can treat under PIP, but we can’t make the EMC determination ourselves. When it’s clinically appropriate, we coordinate with medical providers who can evaluate you.
Who is covered
The policyholder, relatives living in the same household, people driving the insured vehicle, passengers, and pedestrians or cyclists struck by the vehicle can all be covered, subject to the policy’s exclusions.
What PIP does not pay for
- Massage therapy and acupuncture are not covered under PIP medical benefits, no matter who provides them (s. 627.736(1)(a)5.).
- Pain and suffering and property damage are not part of PIP. Those may be handled through other coverage or a claim against the at-fault driver.
Source: s. 627.736, Florida Statutes (2026). A 2026 bill to repeal Florida no-fault (SB 522 / HB 769) died in committee on March 13, 2026, so PIP still applies.
More questions
Does PIP pay for chiropractic care?
PIP medical benefits can reimburse medically necessary care from a licensed chiropractic physician, including initial care within 14 days and follow-up care consistent with the diagnosis, subject to the policy limits.
Does PIP cover acupuncture or massage after a crash?
No. Florida’s statute specifically excludes massage therapy and acupuncture from PIP medical benefits (s. 627.736(1)(a)5.).
What is an emergency medical condition (EMC)?
For PIP purposes, it is a determination by an MD, DO, dentist, physician assistant, or APRN. It raises available medical benefits from $2,500 up to $10,000.
Do I have to pay the other 20%?
PIP generally pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses. The remaining share may be covered by health insurance, MedPay, or another source, or it may be your responsibility. Ask our front desk to review your coverage with you.
Were you in a crash in Jacksonville?
Take the 60-second check to see where you are on the 14-day clock and what to do next, or call our front desk.