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The requirement for drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance, or PIP, will once again become law on the first of the year.  But as Chris Casquejo tells us, most of you will probably not notice any big changes.

Hear it here: PIP Becomes Law Again Jan. 1

Some 700 accidents happen on Florida roads every day.  And some predicted mass confusion when the state’s no-fault auto insurance law to cover medical expenses expired October 1st.  But insurance agent Corey Tyre said very few customers were affected, just those who renewed policies in the past three months.

“There were those carriers who removed PIP from the policies for people that renewed after October 1st,” he said.  “Just understand that on January 1st, PIP is going to be automatically added to your policy, which will create an additional premium.”

If you canceled PIP after October 1st, and don’t pick up the coverage again on January 1st, you risk losing your driver’s license.  And you could pay anywhere from $150 to $500 to get it back.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says law enforcement will be asking for proof of insurance if you are pulled over.  But that’s not all.

“Their insurance carrier is also supposed to inform us should they not have it or they let it lapse,” said Ann Nucatola with the Florida DHSMV.  “And then that’s a fiscal responsibility issue.  And we are going to take action, which is to suspend a license and registration.”

If you’re not sure about your coverage, you have a couple of days to call your agent before PIP once again becomes law.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has set up a consumer help line, (877) 693-5236, to handle questions.  Or you can find out more on the web at www.myfloridacfo.com/NoFault