Florida PIP 14-Day Rule: Deadline, Treatment, and What to Do Next
If you were in a car accident in Miami, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits may depend on what you do in the first two weeks. Florida’s “14-day rule” is a common reason insurers delay, reduce, or deny PIP payments—especially when treatment starts late, or the medical paperwork is incomplete.
This page explains what the 14-day rule means, what typically counts as “treatment,” what happens if you miss the deadline, and the fastest steps to protect your claim.
What Is The Florida PIP 14-Day Rule?
The 14-day rule is a timing requirement that can affect whether your PIP insurer will pay medical benefits. If you don’t receive qualifying medical services within a set time window after the crash, the insurer may argue you’re not eligible for full PIP medical benefits—or may deny coverage for certain charges.
Why it matters
Insurers look for clean and easy reasons to dispute PIP claims. The most common ones are:
Late treatment
Gaps in care
Inconsistent documentation
Missing work notes / wage documentation
What the rule is not
It’s not a guarantee of payment (you still need proper documentation).
It’s not the only reason claims get denied.
It doesn’t replace the need for a real medical evaluation.
Quick takeaway: If you were in a crash, don’t wait “to see if it gets better.” Get evaluated and create a clear medical record early.
See what PIP covers and how claims work
What Counts as “Medical Treatment” Within 14 Days?
People ask this constantly because insurers often deny claims based on how and where the first visit happened.
Generally, what matters most is whether you received qualifying initial services and care that are properly documented and tied to the crash.
Examples that often qualify (depending on circumstances)
Emergency room evaluation
Urgent care evaluation
Primary care evaluation
Certain walk-in clinics that document diagnosis and treatment
Follow-up care that is properly recorded and medically reasonable
What insurers scrutinize
Even if you went somewhere within 14 days, insurers often challenge:
Whether the visit created a clear diagnosis
Whether the documentation supports medical necessity
Whether your symptoms and timeline are consistent across records
Whether there were delays between the crash and the first appointment
Common questions
Does urgent care count for the PIP 14-day rule?
Often it can, but it depends on the provider type, the documentation, and whether it’s clearly tied to the accident.
Does telehealth count for the PIP 14-day rule?
Sometimes, but telehealth can be more heavily scrutinized because insurers want clear clinical documentation. If you use telehealth, make sure it includes detailed notes and follow-up instructions.
Best practice: Whatever your first visit is, make sure the provider records:
Accident date + mechanism (rear-end, T-bone, slip, etc.)
Symptoms and body areas affected
Diagnosis (even preliminary)
Treatment plan and follow-ups
Work restrictions if you missed work
If you’re unsure whether your first visit counts, get help protecting your benefits.
What Happens If You Miss the 14-Day Deadline?
Missing the deadline doesn’t always mean “game over,” but it can create a serious uphill battle. Insurers may:
Deny portions of the claim
Refuse payment for new treatment billed later
Delay payments while they “investigate”
Use the delay to pressure you into dropping treatment or accepting less
Why insurers use the deadline aggressively
Because it’s simple. If an adjuster can point to late treatment, they’ll claim:
The injury wasn’t caused by the crash, or
The treatment wasn’t necessary, or
The condition wasn’t serious enough to justify benefits
If you’re close to day 14 (or past it)
Do these immediately:
Get evaluated as soon as possible (don’t “wait for Monday”)
Gather all prior medical visits and notes (even if you went once)
Write down a short timeline of symptoms and when they began
Avoid lengthy recorded statements to insurers without guidance
Missed the deadline or unsure you are covered? Get a PIP deadline review.
Common Mistakes That Trigger PIP Denials
Most PIP problems aren’t because people did something “wrong.” They happen because the claim becomes easy to attack.
The big ones insurers use
Waiting too long to get checked out
Gaps in treatment without a clear medical reason
Saying you’re “fine” early, then later reporting significant pain
Inconsistent symptoms across provider notes
Not following the treatment plan (missed appointments, no follow-ups)
Signing broad authorizations or releases without understanding them
Giving detailed recorded statements that include guessing/speculation
A simple rule
If it isn’t documented, insurers treat it like it didn’t happen.
Micro-checklist (tight and useful):
Keep a folder: bills, visit summaries, prescriptions, work notes
Keep symptoms consistent and accurate—don’t exaggerate or minimize
Follow up if pain persists; don’t disappear from care
How the 14-Day Rule Connects to PIP Limits and Disputes
The 14-day rule is one of several issues that can affect the size and stability of your PIP benefits.
In many PIP disputes, the insurer isn’t arguing “you have no injury.” They’re arguing:
You didn’t qualify due to timing, or
Your records don’t support the level of treatment, or
Your benefits should be limited due to the medical findings
Why this matters for your total claim
When PIP doesn’t pay as expected, people get stuck with:
Unpaid medical bills
Wage loss issues
Collections pressure from providers
Confusion about what coverage applies next
Steps to Protect Your PIP Claim After a Miami Car Accident
Here’s a realistic “do this now” checklist that protects both your health and your benefits.
Step 1: Get evaluated promptly
Even if symptoms seem minor, early documentation matters.
Step 2: Document the crash basics
Photos (vehicles, plates, roadway, injuries)
Witness contact info
Police report information (if available)
Step 3: Keep your medical story consistent
Be honest and accurate. Don’t guess. If symptoms change, say so—providers should update notes.
Step 4: Track wage loss properly
If you miss work, get documentation (work notes, pay stubs, employer verification).
Step 5: Keep insurer communication short
Stick to facts. Avoid long recorded conversations without preparation.
Need help protecting PIP benefits? Talk to a Miami PIP attorney.
When to Talk to a Miami PIP Attorney?
If everything is smooth, you may not need a lawyer for a basic PIP claim. But many claims aren’t smooth—especially when bills pile up, and the insurer starts disputing treatment.
Contact a PIP attorney if:
Your insurer denies or reduces payments
Medical bills are going unpaid or delayed
You’re pressured into a quick settlement
You’re asked for a recorded statement and feel unsure
You’re scheduled for an insurer exam (IME)
You have wage loss or your work restrictions are disputed
Your injuries are serious and you may need compensation beyond PIP
Contact Today and We Will:
Review your timeline and documents
Tell you what matters next