What Does Personal Injury Protection Cover

A personal injury protection policy (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance, is an extension of car insurance that covers injury and damage expenses sustained in a car accident. PIP is called no-fault insurance because it pays claims regardless of who was at fault in the accident. However, PIP coverage may overlap with health insurance or disability insurance, leading many people to prioritize it less when compared to other types of car insurance. So what does personal injury protection cover? A person considering PIP coverage in California should seek a good personal injury attorney Los Angeles for counsel.

EXPENSES COVERED

The PIP coverage applies to a range of expenses that include medical bills, lost wages and other essential services. Except for expenses paid by a health insurance cover, personal injury protection covers one’s medical bills, including those of the passengers and other people insured by the policy. The insurance pays if the policy-holder is hit by a car while walking, and it even pays the health insurance deductible. If the person can no longer work as a result of the accident, PIP insurance can cover some of the wages, though it may cost extra to add to the basic insurance policy. A small sum, called a death benefit, can be paid to survivors of someone killed in an accident, along with funeral expenses. Moreover, if an injured person is unable to perform essential services such as childcare, and lawn mowing, the PIP coverage can pay them to hire people.

PEOPLE COVERED

Personal insurance protection coverage can extend to a few people including the person insured by the policy, an immediate family member and any other person occupying an insured car. It’s important to note that if both the victim and the wrongdoer are covered by a PIP, the injured party’s expenses will be handled by the liability coverage of the party at fault. A deductible amount is also associated with a PIP, which is the amount one has to pay out of pocket for a given claim, before the obligation of the insurance company kicks in. However, one can always purchase more coverage for each provision not included in the basic PIP insurance terms. Additional provisions do come at a higher premium, but they increase the amount of reimbursement expected for a given expense.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE

Personal injury protection insurance comes with numerous exclusions. Some of the most-common exceptions include a driver who caused the accident intentionally, a driver who was fleeing from the police after committing a crime or if the injury happened as a result of a perilous activity like an explosion, war, rebellion, riot or insurrection. Moreover, a personal injury attorney policy does not cover property damage. Even if the property damage was covered by another driver, reimbursement should be provided by the property damage liability coverage, not the PIP. If the victim caused the damage, maybe because of something beyond control, comprehensive insurance or collision insurance should cover the costs.

PIP ATTORNEYS

Attorneys at EL Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers firm can help a victim understand what a personal injury protection covers and which additional options to take. The firm offers the highest quality of service with a knowledgeable team of experienced personal injury attorneys fully dedicated to serving their clients. It’s advisable to know beforehand what personal injury protection covers, and if it’s the right option for you. To get the best personal injury attorney Los Angeles, call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers today!