Did you know that 12 US states, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Utah, have a no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) law?
What It Means: No matter who is at fault in an accident, having PIP will save you from paying for your medical bills, in addition to coverage for other expenses. In some states, people can opt-out of this law, though.
Making sense of the insurance options available can be very difficult when you can’t figure out what type of coverage you need and how much will be enough. Words like comprehensive, collision, liability, premiums, deductibles and limits will make your head spin!
So, what exactly is it you need and why? Let’s find out:
What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Personal injury protection is a type of insurance policy for cars that covers medical costs, hospital bills, and lost wages. It provides coverage for all the expenses your health insurance won’t.
One of the best things about personal Injury insurance in Boca Raton is that it offers you higher coverage. However, this means that it has a deductible and higher premium. The latter point makes it worth the cost, so you need to consider getting this policy.
PIP Coverage
Personal injury protection offers coverage in several situations. It even protects you when you are not driving. For example, let’s say that you are walking to work. While crossing the road, you get hit by a car and are injured.
Suppose you standing on your lawn, minding your own business, and a tree from the neighboring home’s lawn falls on you. In such situations, PIP will kick in and pay for your expenses. Here’s what PIP covers:
- Partial lost wages.
- Medical Expenses: Trips to an emergency room, ambulance rides, surgeries, prosthetic devices, medication, dentistry, and medical supplies.
- Occupational or physical therapy.
- Funeral costs.
- Help with covering the health insurance deductible.
- Substitute Services: Childcare, cleaning services, and help with household chores if the accident has left you immobile.
- Funds for hiring subcontractors if you run your own business.
Should I buy PIP?
This is a question that only a personal insurance agent in Delray Beach will be able to answer for you.
Suppose you live in a state where PIP is required, all the better for you because, as we mentioned earlier, it offers you more benefits than health insurance. Other policies might cover some medical expenses, but they won’t pay for liability. For example, if another person’s negligence caused your injury, PIP will pay for everything, and by that, we do mean everything.
States that Require PIP
| States | Minimum Coverage Required |
| Florida | $10,000 |
| Delaware | $15,000 |
| Hawaii | $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | $8,000 |
| Kansas | $4,500 |
| Michigan | Requirements Vary |
| New Jersey | $15,000 |
| Utah | $3,000 |
| Minnesota | $40,000 |
| New York | $50,000 |
| Oregon | $15,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000 |
Is PIP Necessary if I Already have Health Insurance?
Not necessary, but you will benefit a lot from it, and isn’t that reason enough to buy PIP?
However, there are a few things you need to consider before adding to your monthly expenses. If your health insurance provides complete post-accident coverage, why not just buy the bare minimum. If you don’t have a health insurance plan or any other solid insurance plan, it’s worth looking into personal injury insurance in Delray Beach. An insurance agent will be better able to tell you the type of coverage that will suit your lifestyle best.
What is Not Covered in PIP?
Like every other insurance policy, PIP, too, has its limits. Here’s what this insurance policy does not cover:
- Any damages to your car. This is where collision coverage comes in.
- An injury you might get in an accident during a crime. (We are looking at you as the perpetrator.)
- Damages to your or someone else’s property. This is where property damage liability coverage comes in.
- Theft or vandalism. This is where comprehensive insurance comes in.
The policy also won’t cover anything once it has reached its limit. So, make sure that if the medical bills are rising quickly, you have a backup plan.
All Risk Insurance Group offers PIP insurance in Florida. The minimum here is $10,000, covering 80% of the medical expenses. Along with covering lost wages resulting from an accident, it also pays for the death benefit, up to $5,000/person.
If you plan to sue the driver for severe injuries that cost beyond what PIP covers, you need to get in touch with an attorney to represent your case. For insurance advice, call (561) 395-5220.