Nobody likes to pay for auto insurance. But considering that more than six million car crashes happen each year in the US, you can quickly see how important it is to have a policy in place.
Like most insurance policies, however, car insurance is a complicated subject. Requirements and policies vary by state. But the type of insurance you have is extremely important when deciding who is at fault in an auto accident and who is responsible for paying for the damages.
So, what is personal injury protection insurance, and what does personal injury protection cover? That too can be complicated. Keep reading below to learn more about personal injury insurance today.
What Is Personal Injury Protection?
In any given auto insurance policy, there will be various different coverages included. Some of these coverages will pay to repair cars that were damaged. Other coverages might pay for property that was damaged.
Personal injury protection is a type of coverage that covers medical expenses as a result of a car accident. It covers you whether you caused the accident or not.
However, it's only required in some states. And it's also referred to as "no-fault" coverage, making it the policy you see in "no-fault" states.
With this type of policy, you will file a claim with your insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident. You don't need to file a claim with the other parties' insurance provider.
What Does Personal Injury Protection Cover?
So what does PIP coverage actually include?
It covers you, any relatives that live with you, and any passengers in the vehicle with you at the time of the accident (usually). Some states will require that they file a claim with their own insurance company, however, even if it was your car that crashed.
PIP is mainly used to cover medical bills related to the car accident and nursing care, ongoing medical supplies, prescriptions, funeral expenses, car repair or replacement, and lost wages.
PIP coverage is slightly different than another popular coverage; medical payments coverage. They will both cover medical expenses directly related to the car accident.
But medical payments coverage focuses on medical bills. It won't pay for lost wages if you can't work for a period of time. Nor will it pay for services required to perform basic tasks that you can no longer complete on your own.
When PIP Isn't Enough
Car insurance exists to pay for bills and damages caused by car accidents. But go figure, auto insurance companies do their best not to limit the amount of money that filers receive.
Less money for you means more money for them.
If you are finding it difficult to receive the compensation you deserve after a car accident, it's worth it to work with a personal injury lawyer. They will help you file a personal injury claim and will do everything to ensure you get every penny that you deserve.
Want to learn more about working with a personal injury attorney? Check out this article on personal injury attorneys to keep reading.
More Coverage Is Always Better
So what does personal injury protection cover? It's designed to cover you, your immediate family, and your passengers. It's comprehensive enough to cover nearly all expenses related to a car accident, not just medical bills.
Even if your state doesn't require this coverage, it's still a good idea to purchase it separately.