Cheap Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Designed to financially protect you from some of the medical expenses related to a car accident and similar to Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, Personal Injury Protection initiates when you or your passengers have been injured in a covered event. In many no-fault states this is a required car insurance coverage, which is why it is also known as no-fault insurance. In some other states, it must be declined in writing.

Personal injury coverage kicks in to help with medical and other costs associated with being hurt in a car wreck. It does not matter who is at fault in the accident — your PIP helps regardless of whether you are at fault or not. Your local Acceptance agent understands the laws where you live and can help you decide if you need this coverage and how to find it cheaply.

Average estimates place the cost between $50 to $200 per month, depending on where you live and how much coverage you purchase. In no-fault states that require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (or its comparable MedPay), your insurance premiums will likely be higher than in states that are at-fault and do not require it.

In no-fault states, it is used in place of bodily injury liability. It covers medical costs, plus lost wages and more for you and your passengers up to policy limits. Here are some of the items it covers:

• Medical bills
• Surgical fees
• Ambulance fees
• Lost wages
• Rehab services
• Funeral expenses
• Death benefit
• Essential services such as child care, lawn, etc.

Depending on where you live, PIP covers varying amounts of total costs. For example, in Florida, drivers are required to carry at least $10,000 in injury coverage and it pays 80% of medical bills and 60% of last wages, up to your policy limit.

What Does Personal Injury Not Cover?

It only covers medical and related costs. It is one type of auto insurance. It will not replace any other types of coverage, such as full, comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist or property damage.

Typically, it’s very quick for you to receive benefits. Since PIP pays out in an approved claim regardless of who is at fault, there is no waiting around for the insurance companies and courts to decide liability. In most cases, your coverage will begin to kick in soon after you (or your passengers) are injured in a covered event.

Although this coverage will not pay your health insurance deductibles like MedPay will, it offers money for lost wages, funeral expenses and more.

If your state requires it, yes. Otherwise, you only need to add it to your existing policy if you regularly use your car to transport passengers (aside from rideshare), such as carpooling to work, and you don’t have a great health insurance plan. Personal injury coverage can pick up the slack if your health plan is weak.

It is required in 14 states. Some of those states are no-fault states and some are at-fault states. There are seven states where motorists can refuse injury coverage in writing, including: Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The District of Columbia also requires this coverage to be refused in writing. Here are the states that require PIP and how much you must carry to be legal.

*Michigan: Drivers have four PIP options, ranging from unlimited to $250,000. Drivers must choose an option based on their individual circumstances.

* New Hampshire: New Hampshire does not require car insurance but requires proof of financial responsibility. If you choose to purchase insurance, you must purchase at least this amount in PIP.

Medical payments (MedPay) is available in some states, while Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is available in others. There are also states where both are available. Conceivably, you can purchase both together in those states, but it’s best to speak with an insurance professional to make sure that is the best course for you.

Yes, in an approved claim, PIP will pay for someone to do tasks you would normally do but cannot due to your injuries and recovery. This includes house cleaning, childcare and more.