What Is Personal Injury Insurance?

Personal Injury Insurance is also  known as PIP, or Personal Injury Protection. This type of insurance generally comes as part of an auto insurance policy and can help offer compensation for victims injured in car accidents.

What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a type of insurance that helps pay for some of your medical expenses and lost wages if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of whose fault it is. It’s also called No-Fault Insurance, and it is required in some states, but not all.

New York is one of the 12 no-fault states in 2022 in which PIP is required. In New York, it’s required to cover up to $50,000 for injuries caused in a single accident. If you want a plan that covers above the minimum requirement of $50,000, you can purchase additional coverage.

What Does Personal Injury Insurance Cover?

PIP insurance can cover medical expenses for you, no matter who was at fault in a car accident. It can also cover your passengers and other parties injured in the accident.

Covered expenses related to your injuries can include:

• Medical bills: Personal injury insurance can help cover the cost of your medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, and physical therapy.
• Lost wages: If you are unable to work because of your injuries, personal injury protection insurance can help replace a portion of your lost income.
• Funeral expenses and accidental death benefits: If you or a loved one are killed in an accident, personal injury insurance can (sometimes, but not always) help cover funeral expenses and provide financial support to your loved ones.
• Homecare expenses: If you need help with activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, and child care due to the injuries you sustained, PIP can in some cases help cover the cost of home care services.

What Does Personal Injury Insurance Not Cover?

Personal injury protection can be a valuable asset if you’re ever in an accident, but it’s important to understand the limitations of your coverage. PIP only covers certain types of expenses, and it may not cover everything that you need. Be sure to read your policy carefully and check with your insurance company if you have any questions. With the right PIP coverage, you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of if something goes wrong on the road.

Personal injury insurance will only cover expenses related to your injuries, meaning it will not cover any damages to your car. That’s why you need more coverage in your auto policy than solely a PIP agreement. For example, PIP will not cover:

• Property damage: If your property is damaged in an accident, including if your vehicle is damaged or totaled, you will need to file a separate insurance claim to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
• Punitive damages: If you are awarded punitive damages by a court, a personal injury insurance policy will not cover these damages.

How to Get No-Fault Insurance

PIP insurance is generally offered as an already-included part of your regular car insurance policy, especially if you’re in a state where no-fault insurance is required. Make sure to double-check your insurance agreement, especially if you’re looking at buying insurance in a different state from where you’ll be living.

Many insurers offer PIP coverage, but the amount of coverage and the specifics of what’s covered can vary from one insurer to the next. When you’re shopping for a car insurance policy, be sure to ask about PIP coverage and compare different policies to see which one is right for you.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

The good news is, if you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another driver and the guilty party has PIP, that insurance can help cover your medical expenses and damages.

If you have been injured in an accident and need help filing a personal injury insurance claim, an experienced personal injury attorney can help. A personal injury attorney can:

• Investigate the accident and help compile evidence to support your claim
• Determine who is liable for your injuries
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
• Help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to

If you have any questions about personal injury protection insurance or need help filing a claim, please contact Napoli Shkolnik today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help!