If you've ever looked at a Florida auto insurance card and wondered what "PIP" and "PDL" mean, you're not alone. Florida's insurance system works differently from most states, and the minimum coverage the state requires leaves some big gaps that surprise people after their first accident.
This guide explains Florida's two required coverages, what they pay for, what they don't, and how they fit into a collision repair claim here in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Quick note: We're a collision repair shop, not an insurance agency or law firm. This is general information. Your policy and a licensed agent are the final word on your coverage.
Florida's Minimum Required Coverage
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), any vehicle with a current Florida registration must carry at least:
- $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL)
A few other rules from FLHSMV worth knowing:
- You must show proof of PIP and PDL before you can register a vehicle with four or more wheels.
- Coverage must be continuous, even if the vehicle isn't being driven or doesn't run. If you're going to drop coverage, surrender the license plate first.
- If coverage lapses, your driver license and plate can be suspended for up to three years, and reinstatement fees of up to $500 may apply.
- If you move here for work or enroll a child in a Florida public school, you need a Florida registration, plate, and policy within 10 days.
The PDL requirement is set out in section 324.022, Florida Statutes, which also applies to nonresidents whose vehicles have been in Florida more than 90 days in the preceding 365, a rule that matters for our seasonal residents. Lawmakers periodically debate changes to the PIP system, so check FLHSMV for the current requirements.
What PIP Covers
PIP is the "no-fault" part of Florida's system. It pays for injuries, regardless of who caused the crash. Under section 627.736, Florida Statutes, PIP provides up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits, plus a separate death benefit:
- 80% of reasonable medical expenses for medically necessary care
- 60% of lost income and loss of earning capacity if you can't work because of the injury
- $5,000 in death benefits
PIP generally covers you, relatives living in your household, and certain passengers and pedestrians, subject to the statute's details.
Two PIP rules that catch people off guard
- The 14-day rule. PIP medical benefits require that you receive initial services and care within 14 days after the accident. If you feel sore after a crash on I-75 or US-41, don't wait to get checked.
- The $2,500 limit. If a qualified provider determines that you did not have an emergency medical condition, PIP medical reimbursement is limited to $2,500 instead of the full $10,000.
PIP policies can also carry a deductible. The Florida Bar's consumer guide to auto insurance notes that deductibles of up to $1,000 are allowed.
What PIP doesn't cover
PIP does not pay to fix your car. It's injury coverage only. It also doesn't cover pain and suffering. Under Florida's tort threshold in section 627.737, an injured person can seek damages for pain and suffering from an at-fault driver only when the injury meets certain thresholds, such as a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, a permanent injury, significant permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. That limit applies to bodily injury, not to property damage.
What Property Damage Liability Covers
PDL pays for damage you cause to someone else's property in a crash. That includes:
- Another driver's car
- A fence, mailbox, or building
- A light pole or other structure
PDL does not pay for damage to your own car. The Florida Bar's guide notes that PDL deductibles of up to $500 are allowed.
Why $10,000 doesn't go far anymore
Ten thousand dollars sounds like a lot until you price out a modern repair. A late-model truck or SUV with sensors in the bumper, LED headlamps, and a structural repair can easily exceed that amount. And PDL also has to cover the other party's rental car or loss of use, plus any other property damaged in the same crash.
When an at-fault driver carries only the state minimum and the damage exceeds it, the injured party may need to:
- Go through their own collision coverage (and pay their deductible)
- Use uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the policy
- Pursue the at-fault driver personally for the difference
If you were hit by a driver with little or no coverage, see our page on uninsured motorist claims.
How It All Fits Together After a Crash
Here's how Florida's coverages typically line up when you're in an accident:
| Your loss | Coverage that typically pays | Required in Florida? |
|---|---|---|
| Your medical bills and lost wages | Your PIP (regardless of fault) | Yes, $10,000 |
| Damage to the other driver's car (you at fault) | Your PDL | Yes, $10,000 |
| Damage to your car (other driver at fault) | Their PDL | Their PDL is required |
| Damage to your car (you at fault or single-car) | Your collision | No, optional |
| Storm, hail, flood, theft, hitting an animal | Your comprehensive | No, optional |
| Other driver uninsured or hit-and-run | Your uninsured motorist coverage, if carried | No, optional |
| Rental car while yours is repaired | Your rental reimbursement, or the at-fault driver's PDL | No, optional |
| Injuries you cause to others | Bodily injury liability | Generally not required |
The Coverage Gaps Most Florida Drivers Should Consider
Carrying only PIP and PDL is legal, but it leaves you exposed in several ways.
Collision coverage
Pays for damage to your own car from a crash, regardless of fault. Without it, if you cause a crash or hit a pole, you pay for your own repairs. If you have a loan or lease, your lender likely requires it.
Comprehensive coverage
Pays for non-collision damage like theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, windstorm, hail, and flood. In a hurricane-prone area like Manatee County, this one matters. Read our guide on hurricane and flood-damaged cars.
Bodily injury liability
The Florida Bar's guide notes that bodily injury liability is generally not required in Florida, except in certain circumstances such as after a DUI conviction. But if you injure someone and the injury meets the tort threshold, you could be personally responsible for damages without it.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. The Florida Bar's guide notes it can also apply in hit-and-run situations.
Rental reimbursement
Optional coverage that helps pay for a rental while your car is being repaired. See rental car coverage during repairs.
What This Means for Your Collision Repair
When your car is damaged, the coverage that pays for the repair depends on who caused the crash:
- Other driver at fault: Their PDL should pay for your repair, up to their limit. You generally don't pay a deductible on a third-party claim.
- You at fault: Your collision coverage pays, minus your deductible.
- Storm or weather damage: Your comprehensive coverage pays, minus your deductible.
Either way, you have the right to choose where your car is repaired. Learn more about Florida's right to choose your body shop.
If you're deciding whether a small repair is worth a claim at all, see file an insurance claim or pay out of pocket? And if the crash just happened, our checklist on what to do after a car accident in Bradenton covers the first steps.
Common Myths About Florida Car Insurance
"No-fault means nobody is at fault." No-fault applies to PIP injury benefits, which pay regardless of who caused the crash. Fault still matters for property damage, for whose PDL pays to repair the cars, and for whether an insurer can surcharge your policy.
"Full coverage is a type of policy." "Full coverage" isn't an official coverage. People usually use it to mean PIP and PDL plus collision and comprehensive. Check your declarations page for what you actually have.
"The other driver's PIP pays for my car." PIP never pays for vehicle damage, yours or anyone else's.
Where to Get Help With Insurance Questions
- Your agent or insurer: Ask them to explain your declarations page line by line.
- Florida Department of Financial Services: Offers consumer assistance and auto insurance resources, including mediation for certain claim disputes.
- FLHSMV: The official source for required insurance and registration rules.
How Firkins Collision Center Helps With Your Claim
We work with all insurance companies and help with the claim paperwork, from the first estimate through any supplements for hidden damage. We use OEM parts whenever possible, back our work with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, and offer free loaners or help arranging a rental. Learn more on our insurance claim help page.
Start With a Free Estimate
Whether your claim is going through your collision coverage or the other driver's property damage liability, a clear, itemized estimate is the place to start. Visit Firkins Collision Center at 2700 1st St in Bradenton.
Request a free estimate or call (941) 229-6451. Open Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5:30 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM–noon. Hablamos español: (941) 357-5162.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance required in Florida?
According to FLHSMV, a vehicle with a current Florida registration must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL). Coverage must be continuous, even if the vehicle isn't being driven.
Does PIP pay to fix my car?
No. PIP covers medical expenses, lost income, and death benefits for injuries, not vehicle damage. Repairs to your own car are covered by collision or comprehensive coverage, or by the at-fault driver's property damage liability.
Does property damage liability cover my own car?
No. Property damage liability pays for damage you cause to other people's property, such as their car, a fence, or a mailbox. To cover your own vehicle, you need optional collision and comprehensive coverage.
How long do I have to get medical treatment to use PIP in Florida?
Under section 627.736, Florida Statutes, PIP medical benefits require that initial services and care be received within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident. Don't wait to get checked out if you think you may be hurt.
Is bodily injury liability required in Florida?
Bodily injury liability is generally not required for most Florida drivers, according to The Florida Bar's consumer guide. It can be required in certain situations, such as after a DUI conviction. Many drivers choose to carry it anyway because it protects them if they injure someone.
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