What is Personal Injury Protection?

Personal injury protection or PIP is a type of insurance coverage that is often found in different types of vehicle insurance policies. The coverage helps to provide assistance with medical expenses and in some cases may also help replace wages lost as the result of an inability to work after a car accident. PIP benefits are generally considered part of the no-fault coverage provided by many car insurance plans, meaning that the injured party receives aid regardless of who caused the accident.

The scope of coverage provided by personal injury protection will vary, depending on the terms of the insurance plan and any applicable laws regarding no-fault coverage in the area where the insured party resides. For the most part, the protection will cover medical expenses associated with traditional treatments that are provided in a hospital or doctor’s office following the accident. In some jurisdictions, the coverage may extend to the costs associated with using some type of alternative medical treatment such as acupuncture or chiropractic sessions. Should the accident result in the death of the insured party, funeral expenses may also be covered under the terms of the policy.

Many personal injury protection plans do not limit benefits to the insured party alone. Some also provide coverage for injuries sustained by anyone who was in the vehicle at the time of the accident. This includes covering the costs associated with transporting injured parties from the scene of the accident to a hospital emergency room, any subsequent treatments related to injuries sustained as the result of the accident, and possibly some compensation if the party is unable to work due to those injuries. Since the scope of coverage may vary, it is important to look closely at the terms to determine what types of events and expenses are covered and which are not.

With most types of personal injury protection, there are provisions that must be observed in order to receive any benefit from the coverage. Many insurance providers require that claims be filed within a certain amount of time after the accident takes place. There are also sometimes limits on how much the provider will disburse on claims for specific types of injuries. Failure to comply with the requirements found in the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage will often result in the rejection of the claim, meaning the party filing the claim receives no compensation from the personal injury protection provider.