If you’re in a car accident and are injured, how much do you think your medical bills would cost? The average bodily injury claim is over $15,000. How would you cover a cost like this without going into serious debt? One option is to get insurance that can help cover medical expenses.
Personal injury insurance may help protect you and your loved ones financially if you are in an accident. Let’s look at what it is, what it covers, and when you need it.
What Is Personal Injury Insurance?
Personal injury insurance is a specific type of auto insurance. You may also hear this type of insurance called PIP insurance or no-fault insurance. It covers medical expenses from an auto accident, no matter who is at fault.
The specifics of these policies vary depending on the provider and state. In general, you can find coverage for medical expenses and lost wages in many policies.
What Does Personal Injury Insurance Cover?
No-fault insurance offers broad protection. In fact, it may provide coverage even if you are in someone else’s car, walking, or riding a bike. In addition, it may cover your costs if you were in an accident that was your fault and with no other drivers involved.
It covers a variety of expenses, including medical, surgical, dental, and optometric treatments. It also includes medication, ambulance services, and medical supplies and devices. It only covers expenses that are within your coverage limits.
In some cases, PIP may cover lost wages and substitute services. For example, if you cannot perform household tasks such as cleaning, PIP may pay for a cleaning crew. Some policies also cover funeral expenses.
There are a few specific things that no-fault insurance does not cover. It does not cover damage to your vehicle, theft, or damage to other people’s property. These things are covered by other types of auto insurance.
Do You Need PIP?
Personal injury insurance is required in many states. If you live in one of these states, you need to carry this type of coverage. However, it’s also available in other states as an optional add-on coverage. Even if it is not required, it may be a smart move to have this type of coverage.
If you decide to purchase personal injury insurance, you will need to set the limits of your protection. This should mainly depend on your health insurance coverage and desired protection for lost wages and substitute services expenses.
Whether or not you have no-fault insurance, having a personal injury attorney can help you in the case of an auto accident. They can walk you through the settlement process to ensure you get the compensation that fairly covers your injuries, lost income, and other expenses.
Protect yourself with Personal Injury Insurance
Personal injury insurance can help protect you and your loved ones if you are in a no-fault auto accident. Whether or not it is legally mandated, this type of coverage can give you peace of mind knowing you don’t have to face huge medical bills.
If you found this article helpful, make sure to read our other car accident and personal injury articles.