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Compare personal injury protection coverage
Personal injury protection covers medical bills and indirect costs from car accidents.
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Your health insurance will cover most of your medical bills, but it may not cover the indirect expenses you may incur from an auto accident. Personal injury protection can fill in the gaps.
What's in this guide?
How much does personal injury protection cost?
PIP typically costs between $10 and $25 a month to add to your policy, depending on your limits. The cost of PIP varies widely depending on the state you live in, the car you drive, your driving history and more.
Does PIP come with a deductible?
PIP comes with deductibles and copays. You’ll choose how high you want them to be when you’re buying insurance.
To decide, check what your health insurance covers and consider how much you’d want to pay out of your own pocket. The higher you set your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums will be. The deductible is what you’ll pay before your insurance company will pay a claim.
How much PIP do I need?
You might need to buy the minimum amount of PIP required if you live in one of the states where it’s mandated. But it could still be a good idea even if it’s not required.
If you’re involved in a car accident, your health insurance will cover you for most of your primary medical needs. But you may not be covered for other expenses that stem indirectly from the accident.
How do I buy personal injury protection?
If you’re in a state that requires or allows PIP, your current insurer will offer it. Contact the company and ask for more details. Don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price. You can find coverage that works for you by comparing insurers in our insurance comparison table.
If you’re in Texas or Washington and opted out of PIP, but are considering it again, you can write your insurer or let the next insurance company you apply with know.
Compare car insurance with personal injury protection
What is PIP and how does it work?
If you’re involved in a car accident, personal injury protection (PIP) pays for the medical services and some other nonproperty damages you or your passengers may need afterward. PIP applies regardless of who’s at fault in an accident. Coverage may include:
- Ambulance rides
- Child care
- Death benefits
- Deductibles
- Funeral services
- Housekeeping
- Lost income
- Nursing care
- Prosthetics
Any damage to personal property isn’t protected under PIP. Comprehensive, collision and liability coverage are necessary to cover the cost of damages to your or another person’s property.
Who does personal injury protection cover?
Coverage varies depending on your insurance company, but typically includes:
- You when you’re driving your car
- Your passengers when you’re driving your car
- Anyone driving your car with permission
- You when you’re riding in another car
- You when you’re walking or cycling
How much will personal injury protection pay?
The amounts and policy limit your PIP insurance will pay depends on which state you live in. For example, in Florida, PIP will cover 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to $10,000. Whereas in Texas, most policies cover up to $2,500 in medical bills and 80% of lost wages, up to more than $10,000 if desired.
Personal injury protection in action
You’re involved in a side-impact car collision, and your arm is broken. You’re anxious because you’re the only one in the family who drives your kids to school. Fortunately, PIP pays for the cost of hiring a nanny, who transports your kids to school while your arm heals.
Is personal injury protection required?
There are 16 states that require you to have a specified amount of personal injury protection, otherwise, PIP is optional coverage.
No-fault states that require personal injury protection
If you’re in one of the 12 states with no-fault car insurance laws, you’ll be required to get PIP coverage.
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
Tort states that require personal injury protection
Four states that don’t have no-fault car insurance laws also require PIP.
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Oregon
Tort states where personal injury protection is optional
Insurance companies are required to include PIP in Texas and Washington, but policyholders can opt out by writing their company and declining it.
- Arkansas
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
PIP vs. medical payments coverage
PIP is similar to medical payments insurance coverage, or med pay, in that it covers medical costs after an accident.
The policies differ in many ways, however. For example:
- PIP comes with deductibles and copays. Med pay doesn’t.
- PIP covers more costs, such as lost income and mental health services.
- Both are mandatory in different states, but PIP is required in more states.
Bottom line
Personal injury protection can cover you for costs that your health insurance doesn’t pay for. It’s also required in more states than medical payments coverage is. To find the best price, compare car insurance companies with PIP.
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Frequently asked questions about PIP
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