No Fault is back

From the Sun-Sentinel-

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law a bill Thursday that restores Florida's no-fault insurance system and requires motorists to again carry personal-injury protections, or PIP, calling it a key measure for consumers and hospitals that treat accident victims.

Starting Jan. 1, Florida motorists will be required to carry $10,000 in personal-injury coverage.

Crist signed the bill at the Capitol, witnessed by lead negotiators on the issue, including Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale.

Gov. Charlie Crist, seated, signs legislation that will re-enact Florida's Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law Photo The law also protects Florida drivers from being sued over another driver's injuries, as long as the medical bills don't exceed $10,000 and the injuries aren't considered permanent problems.

Florida drivers had been required to buy the personal-injury coverage since 1973, but the law lapsed on Oct. 1.

Between now and when the new law takes effect, drivers will have a choice on whether to buy personal-injury coverage.

Crist said the new PIP requirement protects consumers while also adding measures aimed at combating fraud, such as staged car accidents and fly-by-night clinics that cropped up to cash in on minor car accidents.

As with all insurance, there is fraud involved. Just look at Medicare and Medicaid fraud done by some of the biggest names out there. That there are con artists who know how to work PIP and No Fault doesn't mean we scrap the system. Just reform it. After all, did anyone propose ending medicare after Tenet Healthcare had to pay nearly a billion dollar fine to the federal government in 2006?

I have PIP for the car my wife and I drive. Our insurance isn't up for renewal till December 15th. We have uninsured coverage also. I guess we're safe till PIP kicks in again for all Floridians on January 1st. Cross my fingers!

Rick at SOTP celebrated this news yesterday. Don't do that too often guys, no one will call your blog Stuck on the Palmetto anymore.

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