Do I need to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage on my Auto Insurance Policy?

Not everyone must buy personal injury protection, but it's certainly a beneficial addition to your auto insurance policy, should the coverage be provided in your area. Personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage is available in most states, and while some states require it of their drivers, not all states mandate that you add PIP coverage to your auto insurance policy. Many people think that regular auto insurance policy is sufficient for all your needs, but PIP coverage will step in and take care of medical payments and lost wages. PIP coverage will cover damages done, no matter who is at fault in the accident. For these reasons, almost everyone who is eligible for PIP coverage takes advantage of it, even if they rarely drive or have great health insurance in place.

For drivers, or those who frequently have passengers, with little or no health insurance, having PIP is a no-brainer. In the event of an accident, many of your expenses will be paid by the policy, meaning you aren't left with a mountain of medical bills after the accident. If you regularly carpool for work or school, having personal injury protection will ensure that all of your passengers get enough health care coverage and are properly compensated for their time off of work due to the accident. It may also cover expenses such as child care and funeral expenses. You never know if your passengers are insured, or if they have good coverage, so by having personal injury protection coverage, you ensure that they're well taken care of should the worst happen.

Before you sign a waiver saying you don't want PIP coverage, something many insurance companies require of those who don't want to purchase coverage, consider how frequently you drive with other passengers, your driving record and your health insurance policy. Even those who don't feel that they really need PIP will buy it anyway because it simply costs so little, usually less than $10 a month, for a policy ranging from $10,000 to $30,000. It's money well spent to know that you, and your family and friends, are well-insured in the event of an accident. As you shop around for auto insurance, be sure to compare prices of policies that include PIP and those that do not; you'll see the price difference is usually not substantial, and you get an extra layer of protection as you navigate the busy roads.

To find out if you're in an area that requires drivers to have PIP insurance, contact your local insurance agent today. They are happy to explain the details of PIP coverage, the expenses, inform you of how much you need and can help you compare quotes so that you get the best price possible.