What Is PIP In Auto Insurance?

No person ever imagines getting injured in an auto accident. As a driver, you always feel comfortable with your skills and feel like you can control yourself on the road. However, accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. This is why it is essential to prepare and protect yourself from accidents with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on your auto insurance policy.

To learn what is PIP in auto insurance, find out PIP in a nutshell, what else must be covered in auto insurance, and why it is worth the investment.

What Is PIP?

Personal injury protection (PIP) is a part of car insurance coverage that helps pay for your medical expenses and lost wages if you're injured in a car accident, regardless of who's at fault.

It is sometimes called "no-fault insurance" because it pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the accident. The services that are usually covered by PIP insurance typically include the following:

• Medical costs for surgery, prostheses, and x-rays
• Trips to the hospital or a doctor's private office
• Loss of income due to injuries or disability from an accident
• Necessary services like childcare and house cleaning
• Death benefits like funeral costs

PIP coverage is required in some states, but not all. If you live in the following locations, you must ensure you have PIP coverage:

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

Even in states where it's not required, PIP coverage can be a good idea because it can help you pay your medical bills and lost wages if you're injured in a car accident. Furthermore, you can extend your coverage to some family members living in your home.

What Else Must Be Covered By Auto Insurance?

Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state in the United States. It protects you against possible financial loss in a car accident or theft. In exchange for paying a premium, your insurance company will pay for your losses.

Though minimums and coverage requirements may vary depending on the location, there are common types that you must ensure you have, aside from personal injury protection.

• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage – This liability insurance protects you financially if you are responsible for an accident that injures another person. It can help pay their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
• Property Damage Liability Coverage – This coverage helps pay for damage to another person's property caused by you. This could include damage to their car, home, or other property.
• Comprehensive Coverage – This coverage helps pay for damage to the insured vehicle caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, or weather damage.
• Medical Payments Coverage – This coverage pays for your own medical expenses if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage – Underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for the medical expenses of the insured driver and passengers after an accident caused by a driver who does not have enough insurance to cover the full amount of the damages.
• Collision Coverage – This coverage helps pay to repair your own vehicle if you're involved in an accident with another car or if you hit an object like a tree or a guardrail. Collision coverage can be a good idea if you have a newer car or an expensive one. This is because repairs can be costly, and you may not be able to cover the cost yourself if you're at fault in an accident.

Why Should You Add PIP To Your Auto Insurance Coverage?

Adding PIP to your auto insurance coverage is a good idea for a number of reasons.

First, PIP will pay for your medical expenses up to a specific limit if you get into an accident. This can be a big help if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan.

Second, PIP will also pay for your lost wages if you cannot work because of your injuries. This can be a massive help if you can generate an income through your job for an extended time.

Third, PIP coverage can also help pay for funeral expenses if you pass away due to the accident. This can be a big help to your loved ones in need.

Finally, PIP coverage is often required by law in many states. So, if you are required to have it, you might as well get the best coverage possible.

How Much Would A PIP Coverage Cost?

Adding PIP to your car insurance policy is relatively cheap, especially if you consider the benefits drivers can get from it. Depending on your PIP coverage limits, you can expect to add $5 to $50 per month for PIP coverage.

How Can You Process A PIP Claim?

The PIP claim process works just like other types of insurance products. Here’s how it works:

1. Report the collision to your insurer immediately after the incident.
2. Call your insurance provider and confirm your PIP coverage.
3. Get the details from the claim office, including your claim number and the details of the claims office.
4. Contact the claims office and talk to the adjuster for claim processing assistance.
5. Then, ask your insurers to send you a PIP Application, Attending Physician’s Report, and Salary Verification Form.
6. Please fill out the necessary information on the PIP Application and send it back to the insurance adjuster.
7. Send the Attending Physician’s Report to your doctor and submit it to your adjuster.
8. If you have missed work because of some injuries, you must ask your employer to fill out the Salary Verification Form so you can return it to the adjuster as well.
9. Once those things are complete, you should provide your claim number, adjuster name, claim office phone number, and office address to your healthcare provider.
10. Talk to your healthcare provider about billing your PIP directly to you, and request that they attach the necessary reports for your treatments.

Get Properly Insured Today

PIP coverage is a great addition to help you cover the losses during a car accident, especially for your treatment and care after sustaining injuries. Whether it is required in your state or not, you should consider adding it to your auto insurance policy.

If you want to learn more about what is PIP in auto insurance, you can schedule an appointment with an auto insurance agent and ask for a quote.

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