By Tory Vance
When you take out your car insurance you will have the option of adding something called PIP, or personal injury protection. This is also often referred to as ‘no-fault insurance’ because it covers expenses no matter who is at fault for the collision. Now, if you were to speak to a catastrophic injury lawyer then they would certainly tell you that this is a smart idea, whereas other people you speak to may suggest that it is necessary expense. Let’s take a brief look then at what this insurance is, and whether or not you need it.
What Coverage Do You Get?
Personal injury protection covers everyone who is involved in the collision and it will take care of any costs which are involved with injuries that have been sustained. Any car repairs will not fall under PIP, but instead the main insurance which covers the car. As the name suggests, this coverage is only for those who have been injured in the collision.
Mandatory States
In terms of whether or not you need PIP, the easiest answer is that it very much depends on where you live. This is because there are some states across the country which require you to have PIP in place in order for you to legally drive a vehicle. As we write this, there are currently 14 states in which it is mandatory to have this additional cover on your insurance. These are:
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Puerto Rico
If you live in these states, PIP is obligatory coverage.
Considering Your Car Insurance
If you do not live in these states and you are curious as to whether you need this cover, the first place to begin is with your existing car insurance. If you have a great level of cover which is robust and takes care of other passengers in the vehicle, then PIP really isn’t necessary.
Health Insurance Cover
It is also a smart idea that you check what health insurance you have, and whether or not that takes care of injuries which have been sustained in a car accident. If you don’t already have this kind of cover then check prices with your health insurance provider and compare it with the cost of your PIP.
Traveling With Passengers
Something else which is worth considering is how often you actually drive with passengers. If you are someone who only uses the vehicle for your own purposes then this may be a cost which you don’t need to pay. This is worth thinking about as there are many out there who pay for PIP yet who seldom take passengers with them in the vehicle.
This is what you should be looking to consider when it comes to whether or not you should look to spend the money on personal injury protection with your insurance company.
