What Is PIP Coverage and Why You Should Have It

If you have been injured in a car accident, your auto insurance coverage is there to protect you and help you back on your feet. There are many different types of policies and coverages that may apply to your case and exact circumstances, but one type of coverage that may come into play is known as PIP coverage, or personal injury protection coverage.

Here’s what you need to know about PIP coverage and how it may apply to your insurance claim:

PIP Coverage and No-Fault Insurance

PIP coverage is commonly referred to as “no-fault insurance,” and will cover your expenses when you’re in a car accident that was caused by someone else. This includes accidents where you were a passenger in someone else’s car or if you’re riding a bike or walking and a car hits you.

While not all drivers may have this coverage, there are some states where PIP coverage is required. In Maryland, citizens are required by law to have the following insurance policies: Vehicle liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection. Because Maryland citizens are required to have this coverage, dealing with other types of coverage may result in complexities.

For example, if you have PIP coverage and need to use your health insurance, you need to use your PIP coverage policy before using your health insurance policy. Your PIP coverage may have more benefits than your health insurance coverage. There are some states where the two policies can overlap and work together. One policy could cover a certain area of expenses and the other can be used to cover anything else, for instance.

What Are the Benefits of PIP Coverage?

PIP coverage can cover many areas that would otherwise cause a car accident victim a great deal of financial stress. One of the main areas it covers is medical expenses, which includes care that you’ve already had because of the accident and future expenses if you need rehabilitation or other procedures to heal.

While the parameters of PIP coverage can change depending on the state, your coverage may include:

• Medical Procedures. It’s possible you had to have X-rays or other tests or surgeries because of your injuries.
• Hospital Stay. You may have had to be hospitalized because of your injuries, which can start to add up over the days.
• Future Care. Your treatment plan will probably have to continue for some time before you’re healed. This could include physical therapy or prescription medication.
• Lost Wages. Being kept from working puts a lot of stress on car accident victims. They’re worried about getting behind in work or how long they won’t be able to work because they have bills they need to pay.
• Home Expenses. You may be unable to take care of your home because your injuries prevent you from doing hard work or keep you from moving too much. This can also include taking care of children.

When filing a claim, you need to make sure you’re getting copies of your bills and other important documents to the insurer on time. Some states may require certain medical records or treatment plans soon after the accident so the insurer can approve them. If you hire a lawyer, they will help you stay on schedule and get the right papers to the proper places on time.

Belsky & Horowitz LLC is a premier law firm in Baltimore that fights for the rights of people who have been hurt by negligence. Our attorneys are experienced and skilled individuals who will go through every step of the case to know every detail about it so we know who is liable and how much you are owed in compensation. We’ll do everything to get you a favorable settlement.

If you have questions about your claim or want a lawyer to represent you, call our office in Baltimore today to schedule a free consultation of your case.