Merrill Burchell, Car Insurance Writer
@merrill_burchell
No, personal injury protection (PIP) is not required in Texas – it’s optional. By default, all Texas car insurance policies include at least $2,500 in PIP coverage. But if you don’t want the coverage, you don’t have to carry it (or get any replacement coverage for medical expenses). You just need to notify your insurance company in writing that you would like to decline PIP coverage.
Texas drivers who want to cancel their PIP coverage should first check to see if their insurance company has any specific requirements for cancellation (for example, a timeline to follow). Otherwise, all you need to do is send a letter indicating that you were offered the PIP coverage but want to decline it. Include your name, your policy number, and the dates of your policy. Then sign the letter and mail it to your insurance company (ask customer service for the proper mailing address).
Even though PIP insurance isn’t required, it’s still a wise decision to buy some if you can afford it. In Texas, an average of 14% of drivers on the road don’t have car insurance. That means you have a 1 in 7 chance that the other driver won’t have insurance if you get into an accident. Car accidents can be extremely expensive, with fatal accidents in Texas alone costing $4.89 billion each year. That makes PIP coverage a good investment.
| PIP required? | No, PIP is not required - it's included on all insurance policies, but you can cancel it |
| Minimum PIP coverage (if not rejected) | $2,500 |
| State accident laws | At-fault |
| Annual cost of insurance | $1,230 |
| National cost ranking (1=cheap) | 34 |
Texas drivers pay an average of $1,230 per year. Costs in Texas are higher than its neighboring states, because Texas has three of the top 10 largest cities in the country.
People also ask
How can I find cheap PIP insurance?
The best way to find cheap PIP insurance is to shop around and compare quotes from several insurers in your state. The personal risk factors that can affect how much you pay for PIP (personal injury protection) are the same ones that affect the pricing of any type of auto insurance. These include your claims history, credit history, location, driving record, age, and gender. As with all types of insurance, different insurance companies weigh each...
read full answerWhat states are PIP states?
The 12 states that require PIP insurance, also known as personal injury protection, are Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, and Utah. Eleven of these states are “no-fault” states.
In addition, Pennsylvania law requires drivers to purchase $5,000 in medical benefits, but does not mention PIP specifically. PIP coverage is also available, but optional, in seven additional states, plus the District of Columbia.
PIP States
... read full answerDo I need personal injury protection insurance?
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.
In the 20 states (plus Washington, D.C.) where it is required or offered as optional protection, PIP covers medical expenses for the policyholder and his...
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