Florida Insurance

Difference Between PIP and MedPay in Florida

PIP is required in Florida and pays 80% of your medical bills. MedPay is the optional add-on that covers what PIP leaves behind. Here's how they differ and when MedPay is worth it.

Eddie Ezekiel

Published Dec 9, 2025 · 3 min read

Updated Jun 16, 2026

Difference Between PIP and MedPay in Florida

Image credit: Photo by Mehdi Mirzaie on Unsplash

Your $10,000 of Florida PIP sounds like a lot, right up until one ER visit eats through it in an afternoon. That gap is exactly what MedPay is built to fill. Both coverages pay your medical bills after a crash no matter who caused it, but they aren't the same thing, and only one is required. Here's how PIP and MedPay differ, and when paying for MedPay is actually worth it.

The quick version

	PIP (required)	MedPay (optional)
Required in Florida?	Yes, $10,000 minimum	No, you choose to add it
What it pays	80% medical, 60% lost wages, $5,000 death benefit	Medical bills only
Deductible	Often applies	Usually none
Who's covered	You, household relatives, some passengers and pedestrians	You and passengers in your car
Pays regardless of fault?	Yes	Yes

PIP vs MedPay at a glance (Florida).

PIP: the coverage you can't skip

PIP is the backbone of Florida's no-fault system. Every driver who registers a car has to carry at least $10,000 of it, and it pays out fast after a crash without waiting to sort out blame. Within that $10,000, it covers 80% of reasonable medical bills, 60% of lost wages if you can't work, and a $5,000 death benefit. You can confirm the requirement at FLHSMV.

MedPay: the optional backstop

Medical Payments coverage, or MedPay, is optional in Florida. It pays medical bills only (no lost wages or death benefit), but it usually comes with no deductible and pays quickly. Its real job is to step in exactly where PIP runs out.

So do you actually need MedPay?

It's usually inexpensive, so it comes down to your situation. It's worth a serious look if:

You have a high-deductible health plan or no health insurance.
You often drive passengers who may not have their own coverage.
You want a cushion for the 20% and the $10,000 ceiling that PIP leaves exposed.

If you already have strong, low-deductible health insurance, MedPay matters a little less, though it still covers copays, deductibles, and passengers that health plans can be slow or unwilling to pay.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have both PIP and MedPay?

Yes, and that's the point. They work together: PIP pays first, and MedPay can pick up the 20% PIP doesn't cover, your deductible, and bills beyond the $10,000 limit.

Does MedPay cover lost wages?

No. MedPay is strictly medical. PIP is the one that covers a share (60%) of lost wages.

Is MedPay worth it if I already have health insurance?

It can still help. MedPay has no deductible, pays regardless of fault, and covers passengers, so it's useful for copays, your health-plan deductible, and people riding with you. With strong low-deductible health coverage, it's less essential.

Does MedPay have a deductible?

Usually not, which is a big part of its appeal. It tends to pay medical bills from the first dollar, up to your chosen limit.

The bottom line

PIP is mandatory, broad, and fast, but it's capped at $10,000 and only pays 80% of your medical bills. MedPay is a cheap optional layer that plugs those exact gaps. If your PIP deductible or that 20% coinsurance worries you, MedPay is usually worth the small premium. Confirm Florida's requirements at FLHSMV, and ask a licensed agent what a MedPay limit would actually cost you.

Last reviewed: Jun 16, 2026

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