House Panel Considers PIP Insurance Overhaul

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A House panel will consider overhauling Florida’s personal-injury insurance that is now overcome with fraud.

The Civil Justice Subcommittee is meeting on Wednesday to work on a bill (CS/HB 119) overhauling the state’s personal injury protection — or PIP — coverage.

The proposed law requires those hurt in a wreck to go to a hospital emergency room or hospital-owned walk-in clinic for PIP coverage to kick in.

PIP insurance pays up to $10,000 to cover medical bills and lost wages after an accident. It doesn’t matter who caused the wreck. All Florida drivers must carry such “no-fault” insurance.

But fraudsters have turned Florida into the top state for staged accidents. PIP fraud is estimated to reach $1 billion this year.

Source: Associated Press