What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also known as no-fault coverage, covers both medical expenses and lost wages when you or someone else in your vehicle is injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers you if you are injured in an accident as a passenger in someone else’s car or if you are hit by a car as a pedestrian or bicyclist.

The specific services and procedures PIP covers typically include:

  • Hospitalization
  • Surgery
  • Ambulance use
  • Rehabilitation
  • Funeral costs
  • Lost wages
  • Childcare or household help
  • Accidental death benefits

It’s important to keep in mind that PIP does not cover anything related to property damage.

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PIP and State Minimum Coverage

There are 14 states that require PIP as part of their state minimum insurance standards, while several others offer it as an option. The states that require it have set their own minimum coverage limits, which is the amount you legally have to purchase. If you are in an accident, the amount of PIP you’ve purchased dictates the maximum amount your insurer will pay per claim.

  • States that require PIP: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
  • States that have optional PIP: Arkansas, District of Columbia, Maryland, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

If you are living in a state that requires some PIP, purchasing more than the minimum required might be a good idea as added protection, particularly if your health insurance isn’t that great to begin with. If your state simply offers PIP as optional, do take it into consideration when deciding what insurance to buy -- medical fees can be extremely expensive, and having this coverage might make a big difference if you do get in a serious accident.

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