Merrill Burchell, Car Insurance Writer
@merrill_burchell
Yes, you need personal injury protection (PIP) insurance if you live in one of the 12 states that require it. You should also get PIP if your health insurance has low coverage limits or if you drive with passengers who could hold you responsible for their medical expenses in the event of an accident. Plus, PIP also covers non-medical costs such as childcare or lost wages.
In addition to the states where PIP is mandatory, there are 7 other states and Washington, D.C. where it is offered as optional protection. Even if it’s not required, PIP is a good investment because it can pay for medical expenses for the policyholder and his or her passengers after an accident, no matter who was at fault. Keep in mind that PIP is not available at all in the 31 other states.
Always check with your insurance company or an agent for specifics on what coverage is required or available in your state before you determine what to include in your policy.
What Does PIP Cover?
- Ambulance fees
- Health insurance deductibles
- Medical treatments
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Prescriptions
- Lost wages
- Home care such as cleaning
- Child care
- Funeral costs
How Does PIP Work With MedPay?
PIP insurance may overlap with another kind of car insurance known as Medical Payments, or MedPay. Like PIP, MedPay covers the costs of medical care resulting from of an accident, no matter who was at fault. Also, like PIP, MedPay covers injuries to any passengers in your car. However, it does not pay for lost wages, rehabilitation or home-care services, which PIP would cover.
The way PIP and MedPay may work together depends on your state’s laws. If you live in one of the 12 states that require PIP, MedPay could be redundant, but in the states where PIP is optional, you could get a combination of the two.
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