Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is coverage that will pay for your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This type of coverage is also known as “no-fault” insurance.
Some states require drivers to carry PIP insurance, while many at-fault insurance states do not. Keep reading below to learn all the details about PIP coverage, including what it covers, who it applies to, and whether or not you need it.
What Is PIP Insurance?
PIP insurance is a type of auto insurance coverage that pays for your injuries, no matter who was at fault for the accident. Unlike traditional liability insurance, there is no need to prove fault when filing a claim. If you are hurt in a car accident, you simply file a claim with your own PIP coverage.
PIP coverage has several benefits. First, it typically enables injured victims to receive compensation for their injuries more quickly. This is because there is no requirement to prove fault. Getting compensation using liability insurance can take weeks or months when questions of liability are present.
Next, PIP coverage is designed to help keep insurance costs lower. This is because many smaller claims are kept out of the court system. This makes the claims process more efficient and less expensive, thus reducing costs for policyholders. However, PIP coverage does have some drawbacks, particularly in the types of compensation available after an accident.
What Does PIP Cover?
PIP coverage pays for some of your economic damages after an accident.
Some of the major items covered by PIP after an accident include:
Medical Expenses
You can expect PIP to cover your reasonable and necessary medical expenses after an accident, no matter who was at fault.
This may include items such as:
- Emergency treatment
- Diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans, X-rays, or MRIs
- Surgery
- Follow-up doctor visits
Some PIP coverage might also cover your health insurance deductible. However, PIP does not cover 100% of your medical expenses in some states.
Lost Wages
Many accident victims are left unable to work for some period of time after their accident. PIP will cover some of your lost wages during that time. If you are self-employed, your coverage might provide benefits that allow you to hire temporary workers until you can return to work.
Be aware that PIP may not cover 100% of your lost wages after an accident. For example, PIP may only cover 80% of your lost wages after an accident in Texas.
Funeral and Death Benefits
If a covered individual dies in an accident, PIP will provide death benefits to the family. This may include a one-time payment for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses.
Essential Services
Many accident victims can no longer perform many essential services after an accident.
This may include things such as:
- Lawncare
- House cleaning
- Child care
- Other essential household services
PIP may provide benefits that allow you to hire someone to perform these services until you are able to do them on your own again.
What Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance NOT Cover?
While PIP insurance provides several benefits, there are some things that it does not cover. PIP does not cover property damage, and it also does not cover injuries that you caused to others. This is why you should also consider adding collision insurance and liability insurance to your policy.
Most notably, PIP does not cover your non-economic damages, including items such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of love and support
If your injuries are severe enough that the law allows you to sue the at-fault driver, you would then be entitled to recover these types of non-economic damages. Opening the door to non-economic damages can greatly increase the overall value of your claim.
Who Does PIP Cover?
If you purchase PIP insurance, it will cover your injuries in the event of an accident because you are the policyholder and insured. PIP coverage may also extend to others. Generally, PIP will cover passengers in your vehicle and family members who live in the same household.
Additionally, PIP will provide benefits in some situations other than car accidents. For instance, you may have coverage if you are in an accident as a pedestrian or bicyclist. For specific coverage details, you should always contact your insurance company or refer to your policy details.
Contact Our Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today
After an accident, things may seem overwhelming. Navigating the insurance claims process on your own can be challenging, and the insurance company might try to take advantage of you. To help maximize your financial recovery, contact an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer for help.
The team at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help you with every detail of your claim. We can help assess all available insurance coverage, and we can advise you of your legal rights when it comes to suing the other driver. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you get the justice you deserve.
Contact us today at (214) 556-8321 to schedule your free consultation and get started.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Dallas, TX
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers
1825 Market Center Blvd # 350, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 556-8321
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