The Truth About Personal Injury Protection - & Some Myths

Trying to get insurance cover can be a realis a no-fault insurance policies for a couple of
minefield to most people. It is almost always anreasons. Firstly, the fact that blame does not
unbelievably expensive item with respect to thehave to be confirmed saves time and therefore
family budget. Unfortunately however, it can beallows medical payments to get into the pockets
horrendously costly in another way if the cover isof the injured parties as soon as possible.
not appropriate or does not cover the intendedSecondly, it saves everybody from the cost of
items. Let's look at the main kinds of cover andlawsuits being filed so that responsibility can be
attempt to throw a little light on the subject.proved for an accident and therefore who has
The best automobile insurance policies will includeresponsibility for the bills. One time a personal
the following items: uninsured motorist coverage,injury protection policy might allow for a lawsuit is
personal property liability, collision coverage, bodilywhen serious injury or death occurs.
injury liability, comprehensive coverage andBefore you purchase personal injury protection,
personal injury protection (PIP). Some of theseyou would be advised to take a look at your
elements are required by all states whilst otherscurrent policies and see whether or not the
are not required. Collision coverage pays for allinsurance policies offered by personal injury
damages to a automobile or other vehicle when itprotection is duplicated elsewhere. It could be that
is in collision with another automobile or otherthe cost of lost wages and medical bills may be
vehicle or non-vehicular object, even if therecovered through an existing health insurance
insurance holder is at fault. Comprehensivepolicy. If this is the case, then you may need
insurance policies protect the insurance holder inminimal personal injury protection or none at all.
the unfortunate situation that their automobile orYour driving habits will also help determine
other vehicle is taken without the owner'swhether or not you need personal injury
permission, damaged illegally, harmed by an act ofprotection. Do you carry passengers on a regular
nature or damaged otherwise. Both of these kindsbasis? While your health insurance might cover
of insurance are always optional and are usuallyyour own medical expenses, it won't cover those
very costly.of your passengers (unless they are members of
Bodily injury and personal property insurance areyour family who are on your health plan). Ask
required by all U.S. states in in one way oryour regular passengers about their own health
another. Where the states differ greatly is in theinsurance policies and its coverage. If they are
minimum guaranteed payout that is set for each.inadequately covered or not covered at all, you
For example, in Alaska, a driver is required toneed personal injury protection in order to keep
carry coverage that has a guaranteed minimumthem covered. This may seem like the thin end
bodily injury payout of $100,000. In Florida, aof the wedge, especially if you're the one driving
driver is only required to carry coverage worthan office car pool, however, the safety of any
$10,000.passenger riding in your car is always going to be
Many elements of an auto insurance policy thatyour responsibility.
could be optional are cover for the uninsuredIf you reside in a state that requires personal
motorist and personal injury protection. Theinjury protection you will need to know the
coverage for the uninsured motorist protects theminimum amount of cover you must have
insurance holder in case he or she has an accidentbecause this has already been decided for you. If
with an uninsured person. It provides theyou live in a state where personal injury
insurance policies that should possibly have beenprotection is not mandatory however, you might
supplied by the other party. PIP, in the event ofdecide that you need the extra insurance policies
an accident, pays for the medical expenses andanyway. How much insurance policies you need
other assorted damages incurred by the insurancedepends, mainly, on your age. If you are
holder and their passengers (or if the insurancemiddle-aged or older, have good health and liability
holder is an injured pedestrian). Carrying personalinsurance policies, then you will need minimal
injury protection is mandatory in: Colorado,personal injury protection insurance policies. If, on
Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky,the other hand, you are young, just starting out
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Newand still don't have much in the way of health and
Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon andliability insurance, you will want to protect yourself,
Utah.your family and your future by carrying as much
Even if personal injury protection is notinsurance as you can afford. This is especially true
mandatory in your state, you may still want toif you have a young family or if you constantly
consider purchasing the insurance policies. PIP, incarry others in your automobile or other vehicle.
the event of an accident, will pay around 80%So there we have it, whether you require PIP and
(depending on insurance policies limits) of the costsat what level, depends on several factors: where
of the insurance holder and passengers. Theseyou live, your driving habits, your employment,
costs include medical bills, lost wages and otheryour health, your personal circumstances and your
assorted expenses. personal injury protection is alevel of existing cover. Whatever your
no-fault policy, so it will cover you and yourcircumstances however, you need to research it
passengers, even if the reason for claim wascarefully so that you can rest easy knowing that
your fault.personal injury protection, sometimesyou are safely covered.
known as Medical Payment Insurance or Medpay,