Personal injury protection (PIP) is motor insurance coverage that pays for medical expenditures resulting from car-related injuries, regardless of who is at fault. While PIP coverage is available in 17 states and Washington, D.C Only 12 of them require all drivers to carry a minimum level of personal injury protection.
What is PIP and what does it cover?
PIP insurance is designed to cover any injuries sustained in a crash, regardless of who is at blame, and it also contains other benefits. Depending on your state, PIP may help pay for:
- Medical bills and expenses resulting from a car crash.
- Lost wages if you are unable to work due to injuries sustained from an accident.
- Services you can no longer provide due to an accident, such as housekeeping or child care.
- Funeral expenses if an injury incurred in an accident results in death.
- A small death benefit as a cash payout.
Depending on where you live, your PIP policy may include an insurance deductible, which is the amount you are liable for paying toward the cost of a claim. Your insurance company usually subtracts your deductible from your reimbursement.
PIP typically covers the policyholder and family members in the household, passengers in the vehicle, and individuals who drive the automobile with permission. Your PIP may also cover you if you are wounded while riding in someone else’s car, or if you are hit by a vehicle while walking or cycling.
How PIP coverage relates to no-fault insurance
Personal injury protection is sometimes referred to as “no-fault insurance.” The name refers to states with “no-fault” legislation, such as Florida, Michigan, and New York. These regulations prevent wounded drivers from suing at-fault drivers after an accident unless their injuries are severe or their medical bills exceed their state’s minimum criterion for suing.
“No-fault” states require all drivers to carry a minimum level of PIP. This is meant to reduce the cost of motor insurance for all drivers by preventing minor injuries from going to court.
Personal injury protection by state
You may get PIP insurance in 17 states, including Washington, D.C. Twelve states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of PIP, while a few others make it an optional add-on to their policy.
Personal injury protection is required in 12 states
Drivers in 12 states are obliged to purchase a certain level of PIP insurance, but the amount varies by state. Use the table below to determine whether you require personal injury protection in your state and what the minimum amount is.
| States that require PIP | Minimum PIP coverage required |
| Delaware | $15,000 |
| Florida | $10,000 |
| Hawaii | $10,000 |
| Kansas | $4,500 |
| Massachusetts | $8,000 |
| Michigan | Requirements vary. |
| Minnesota | $40,000 |
| New Jersey | $15,000 |
| New York | $50,000 |
| North Dakota | $30,000 |
| Oregon | $15,000 |
| Utah | $3,000 |
PIP is optional or can be waived in five states, including Washington, D.C.
Personal injury protection is available as an optional add-on in five states, including Washington, D.C., and drivers may waive it in writing. Use the table below to see how each state handles PIP coverage.
| States that offer PIP | PIP details |
| Arkansas | Optional |
| Kentucky | $10,000 required, but can be waived in writing. |
| Maryland | $2,500 required, but can be waived in writing. |
| Texas | $2,500 required, but can be waived in writing. |
| Washington | $10,000 required, but can be waived in writing. |
| Washington, D.C. | Optional. |
Is personal injury protection the same as MedPay?
Medical payments coverage, also known as MedPay, compensates for medical expenses resulting from crash-related injuries regardless of fault. However, it does not provide the same additional financial benefits as PIP, such as coverage for missed income, burial costs, child care, and house cleaning charges.
MedPay is also an optional benefit. Some states, including Florida and Massachusetts, allow insurers to provide both PIP and MedPay.
How does PIP relate to liability insurance?
Personal injury protection is a sort of auto insurance coverage, although liability insurance can be found in a variety of plans, including auto, homeowners, renters, and condominium insurance.
PIP covers your medical expenses if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at blame. Liability vehicle insurance, on the other hand, covers any injuries or property damage caused by you if you are at fault in an accident. Liability insurance does not cover your own injuries or damage to property. Only a few states mandate PIP, although the majority require motor liability insurance.
