AUTO INSURANCE

What is a personal injury protection claim and what are its benefits?

If you or your co-passengers are injured in an accident, personal injury protection claim covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other essential expenses. Then, it does not matter whose fault the accident occurred.

There is a greater need for personal injury protection in some states of America because there is ‘No-Fault Auto Insurance’ under which you lose your ability to sue in case of a car accident. Note that if personal injury protection is considered optional coverage in your state, it may be an essential part of your car insurance policy.

What is covered under a Personal Injury Protection Claim?

The following expenses are covered in PIP:

  • Medical expenses due to a car accident
  • cost of injuries
  • Expenses for traveling to the hospital or clinic
  • Replacement services are provided for the tasks you are not able to perform due to an accident, such as household chores and child care.
  • You get survivor benefits if you become disabled in a car accident, and if you die, your complete funeral expenses are covered.

The direct aim of a personal injury protection claim is to get immediate payment for the damage caused in the accident, and this is because a PIP claim is free from all kinds of restrictions, such as who caused the accident, who was at fault, etc. There is no need to think that in case of a car accident, you will file a case, then the case will go on for some time, and you will get coverage. You get paid immediately through a PIP claim.

What is not covered by a personal injury protection claim?

Personal injury protection claim does not cover:

  • The driver and passenger are sitting in another vehicle.
  • Getting injured in an accident while committing a crime.
  • Having a car accident while on your way to work.
  • Causing damage to someone else’s property.
  • In case of damage to the vehicle.

Do I need a Personal injury protection Claim?

In some states, drivers must have a personal injury protection claim. Because in some states, it is seen only as an option, and in other states, it is not available. Today, in the states of America where the PIP claim is applicable, it has emerged as a good coverage. It is because PIP plays an essential role in covering expenses, such as reducing health insurance premiums, protecting your wages from loss, and providing replacement services for tasks you are unable to do due to an accident, such as Housework and child care.

In which states are personal injury protection claims available?

15 states in the US require a PIP claim. Out of these 15 states, there are 12 states where the ‘No-Fault insurance’ law is in force, and this law has made PIP claims mandatory here. Under this, you will need a PIP insurance claim if you suffer minor injuries in an accident. Apart from this, the remaining 3 states also require PIP insurance claims, but the ‘No-Fault insurance’ law is not available there.

States where a PIP claim is required under No-fault insurance law:

  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Pennsylvania
  • Utah
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Oregon

Now let us know about those states where PIP claim is optional:

  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Texas
  • Washington

Are there any alternatives to the PIP claim?

If a PIP claim offer is available in the state where you live, it makes sense to purchase it. But if PIP is optional in your state, you can choose a good health insurance policy. Yes, know that there are some benefits in a PIP claim that do not provide you with health insurance. Such as compensation for the lost wages and coverage for services you are not able to perform after the accident, such as child care and household chores.

Do PIP claim all injuries?

If you get into a car accident, then a personal injury protection claim does not cover all the expenses related to the injuries. Let’s understand this: if you cause a vehicle accident in which other people get injured, you will have to use your body injury portion under liability car insurance, and if you are sued, then this liability car insurance will protect you from legal action. Will cover the costs, expenses of the trial, and all the expenses of its disposal.

FAQs

What is the difference between personal injury protection and bodily injury liability?

Personal injury protection provides complete coverage for injuries, treatment, and expenses incurred by you and your co-passengers in a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident and whose fault it was. Whereas bodily injury liability investigates the car accident, and instead of covering the person responsible for the accident, it gives coverage to the other party. Body injury liability covers legal expenses and litigation costs if a lawsuit is filed against you in a car accident. Bodily injury liability insurance is a part of liability car insurance and is compulsory in most states.

If you have health insurance, is personal injury protection required?

Yes, it is necessary to take PIP even if you have health insurance. It is currently optional in some states and not available in others.

How is a PIP claim filed?

To file a PIP claim, first of all, you should file the claim with your car insurance company, even if the accident happened due to your fault. The insurance company will cover all the injuries and expenses related to its treatment up to the policy limit.
For example:- In some states, it may be necessary for passengers who have their auto policy to claim their policy under PIP coverage.

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