With the high number of car accidents that happen daily, it’s no wonder why nearly every state mandates that drivers have auto insurance to drive on the road.
Without it can spell big financial and legal trouble. Car insurance can be a lifesaver when getting into a vehicle wreck. Insurers help pay for the damages incurred when a vehicle accident happens, helping drivers avoid huge payments resulting from damage to vehicles. But what about medical costs?
Even in a small rear-end collision, there’s always the chance that one or more passengers will get injured when a car accident happens. A small case of whiplash could result in thousands of dollars of damages claimed to a negligent driver. How can motorists better protect their finances when an accident involving injury happens?
Personal injury protection, also PIP, is provided by some car insurance companies as a plan that can pay for medical expenses when there’s a vehicle accident.
Such insurance policies range from full coverage to co-pay. When the victim of an accident doesn’t have full coverage on a PIP plan, their health insurance may cover the rest of the expenses.
However, it’s important to know that every PIP policy will have a limited number of individuals that can be claimed. For instance, coverage could be limited to only four people.
If you’re interested in PIP car insurance, remember to get a plan that covers the number of people that you usually drive with. This could be the size of your family, whatever the number is of the amount that spends the most time in your vehicle.
PIP According to State
Not every state has laws that provide policyholders with the same stipulations. Take Florida for example, a no-fault state. A Jacksonville, Orlando, or Boca Raton car accident lawyer will inform you that an injury can end in an insurer paying for the medical bills of the person that caused the accident. In other words, PIP won’t be rejected by an insurer when someone’s negligence causes a wreck.
For many people with PIP insurance, the medical costs won’t be very large. Don’t expect to find a PIP plan that’ll handle the entire costs of your medical bills relating to the crash. Keep your health insurance and use the PIP’s medical coverage if your medical insurance isn’t full coverage.
With PIP insurance, the company may handle partial expenses in situations where the other driver in the accident doesn’t have car insurance or PIP. As you can imagine, all of these benefits can greatly reduce the price you end up paying or bring it down to zero.
Other PIP Benefits
Worried about losing income from having to stay too long in the hospital after a vehicle accident? PIP insurance will cover the money you lost from being out of work. As a bonus, many insurers extend their coverage to include care provided for children and even costs for a fatal injury caused by a wreck.
Where PIP is Mandatory
Many states made PIP plans mandatory for their drivers, Some are Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Washington. The lowest amount to be paid changes with them, but the average is between $20,00-$30,000. The question of whether you need PIP or not is answered by where one lives. Half of the country mandates it but the states without the requirement should check with their health insurance policy to see if it pays for accidents that happen when driving.
Take note that PIP doesn’t cover all of the damages that other drivers suffer in an accident. It can cover some, but not to the degree that liability insurance does.
PIP Is Recommended for Every Driver
Drivers with PIP insurance pay less after a crash. Even in a state where it’s not needed, having the plan appended to one’s care insurance is a good idea. Check with insurers in your area to get a quote on their prices.
Author: With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.
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