PIP Insurance - Personal Injury Protection Coverage

What is PIP insurance?

Personal injury protection (PIP) helps pay for covered medical expenses caused by an auto accident. PIP can be used whether you're at fault for an accident or not. It can also be extended to certain family members that live in your home.

Some states require you to carry PIP on your auto policy. This coverage is also called no-fault coverage.

Let's find the right PIP coverage for you.

What does personal injury protection (PIP) cover?

PIP coverage rules vary by state. Each state determines who is covered and the required limits. In most states, PIP covers you and your resident relatives. Your passengers may also be covered. However, some states may require that passengers with auto insurance file through their own policy for PIP coverage. Other states may require the passengers to occupy a vehicle owned by you to qualify for PIP coverage under your policy.  PIP may also provide coverage if you are struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian.

For more information about your state, you can check out our state information pages.

Examples of what PIP insurance can cover:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost Wages
  • Nursing care
  • Medical supplies
  • Prescriptions
  • Replacement services
  • Funeral services
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Essential household services you cannot perform due to an injury

What is not covered by PIP insurance?

While PIP insurance provides essential coverages for personal injuries from an automobile accident, it does not cover:

  • Damage to your vehicle or other property
  • Vehicle theft
  • Injuries to other drivers
  • Pain and suffering or emotional distress

What is the difference between PIP coverage and medical payments coverage?

Both PIP and medical payments may provide coverage for you and your relatives living with you. PIP and Med Pay may also provide coverage for your passengers. The main difference between the two coverages is what they'll cover in an accident-related injury.

Medical payment coverage helps pay for expenses for medical treatment of the injury resulting from an auto accident. It may also provide coverage for funeral expenses if death is caused by the injuries from the accident.

PIP also helps to pay for medical treatment but can also cover additional expenses. These expenses can include lost wages or paying someone to perform tasks you can't perform due to your injuries.

How PIP differs from bodily injury liability coverage?

PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs for you and, possibly, your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in a car accident.  In contrast, bodily injury coverage is part of liability insurance that pays for the medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees of the other party if you are found at fault in the accident.  While PIP is focused on your protection, bodily injury coverage protects you from being financially liable for injuries you cause to others.

Should you get personal injury protection insurance?

If your state requires it, you'll need it to legally drive on the roads. If it's optional in your state, you may still want to buy PIP to help protect you if you're injured in an accident.

If you don't have the option to purchase PIP, you may want to consider medical payments coverage.

How much PIP coverage should you get?

Each person is different, and some states allow you to customize your PIP limits or deductibles.

A good starting place is to think about what medical coverage you may already have. This can include things like health insurance. With that information, you have a good starting place to choose the amount of PIP insurance coverage that is best for you. Depending on your state, you may be able to select:

  • Deductible amount
  • Priority of coverage with health coverage
  • Limit of coverage
  • Individuals covered by PIP

FAQs about PIP Insurance

  • Is PIP insurance required in my state

    Whether PIP is required depends on the state in which you reside. States with no-fault insurance laws, like Florida and New York, mandate PIP coverage, while at-fault (tort) states may not. To determine if PIP is required in your state, you can check with your state's insurance department or consult your auto insurance provider.

  • What is a no-fault insurance state?

    A no-fault insurance state requires drivers to carry insurance that covers their own medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This system limits the ability to sue the other driver except in cases of severe injury. PIP coverage is mandatory in no-fault states.

  • Can I use PIP insurance if I'm at fault?

    Yes, you can use PIP insurance if you're at fault in an accident. PIP covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs, regardless of who caused the accident.

  • How does PIP interact with my health insurance?

    PIP and health insurance can work together to cover your medical expenses after an auto accident, but the interaction depends on your policy and state laws. Typically, PIP is used first to cover immediate medical costs up to its limit, often without requiring copays or deductibles. After your PIP benefits are exhausted, your health insurance can step in to cover additional medical expenses according to your health insurance policy's terms.

  • Can I customize my PIP coverage limits?

    Yes, in many states, you can customize your PIP coverage limits within the options provided by your insurance company. While some states have minimum required PIP coverage amounts, you can often choose to increase them for more protection.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.