How Insurance Claims Work in Florida
After a serious injury, your financial recovery flows through insurance. Understanding the layers of coverage available, and how adjusters operate, is essential to receiving full compensation rather than a lowball offer.
The Layers of Coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida's no-fault law requires $10,000 in PIP coverage, which pays 80 percent of medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages, regardless of fault. PIP is exhausted quickly in serious injury cases.
Liability Coverage
If you meet the serious injury threshold, you can claim against the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability coverage. Florida's minimum is only $10,000, which is far too low for catastrophic injuries, so the at-fault driver's available limits often dictate strategy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
If the at-fault driver lacks enough coverage, your own UM coverage can fill the gap, provided you purchased it. Many Florida drivers do not know whether they carry UM coverage, so check your policy carefully.
How Adjusters Try to Reduce Your Claim
- They obtain recorded statements that can be twisted against you
- They offer quick settlements before your treatment is complete
- They question whether your injuries were caused by the accident
- They pressure you to sign medical authorizations broad enough to review unrelated records
Protecting Yourself During the Process
Do not give a recorded statement without an attorney present. Do not sign broad medical releases. Do not accept a settlement until you have reached maximum medical improvement and understand the full extent of your injuries. Keep every document and bill organized, and communicate with the insurer in writing whenever possible.
When an Attorney Is Necessary
If your injuries are catastrophic, involve permanent impairment, or exceed the policy limits involved, an experienced Florida personal injury attorney should handle the claim. Insurers negotiate entirely differently with an attorney than with an unrepresented victim, and the difference is often a six-figure gap in compensation.
Independent educational resource covering Florida catastrophic injury law. This article was researched from Florida statutes and official sources and is provided for general informational purposes only.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Related Articles
Florida Wrongful Death Damages: How Each Type Is Calculated
Florida wrongful death recovery is defined by statute, not instinct. This guide breaks down every category of damages, who may recover them, and how the 2023 fault rules and deadlines affect a family claim.
Florida Birth Injury Lawsuit Guide: NICA, Deadlines, and Damages
Birth injuries caused by medical negligence carry a lifetime of cost. This guide explains how Florida claims actually work, including the NICA no-fault system that can bar a lawsuit, the two-year deadline, and how damages are proven.
Florida Tort Reform FAQ: How HB 837 Changed Injury Claims After March 2023
Florida House Bill 837 rewrote the rules for injury claims effective March 24, 2023. Plain-language answers to the questions injury victims ask most about the new law.