Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

 

What is Personal Injury Protection?

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a common coverage found in auto insurance policies that exists to cover your medical bills and other expenses (such as time loss) related to a motor vehicle accident.
  • PIP is typically referred to as a 'no-fault' coverage, meaning that you are covered whether a collision is your fault or another parties fault.
  • Using your PIP does not affect your rates when you are not at fault for a collision.
  • PIP also 'follows' you meaning that you are covered by your auto PIP coverage in other instances when you are a passenger in another vehicle, pedestrian, or even a bicyclist.
  • Additionally, as a pedestrian or bicyclist, PIP coverage from the vehicle that struck you may also be an option for covering your medical care.

  • In Washington State, the following rules are commonly relevant when dealing with injuries and the necessary medical care following a motor vehicle collision:

    • RCW 48.22.095 - Automobile insurance policies—Minimum personal injury protection coverage.

    • RCW 48.22.100 - Automobile insurance policies—Personal injury protection coverage—Request by named insured—Benefit limits.

    • RCW 46.52.130 - Abstract of driving record—Access—Fee—Violations.

    * You can read more about these rules below.

  • RCW 48.22.095 - Automobile insurance policies—Minimum personal injury protection coverage.

    (1) Insurers providing automobile insurance policies must offer minimum personal injury protection coverage for each insured with benefit limits as follows:

    (a) Medical and hospital benefits of ten thousand dollars;

    (b) A funeral expense benefit of two thousand dollars;

    (c) Income continuation benefits of ten thousand dollars, subject to a limit of two hundred dollars per week; and

    (d) Loss of services benefits of five thousand dollars, subject to a limit of two hundred dollars per week.

    * The above information has been copied from wa.gov.

  • RCW 48.22.100 - Automobile insurance policies—Personal injury protection coverage—Request by named insured—Benefit limits.

    If requested by a named insured, an insurer providing automobile liability insurance policies must offer personal injury protection coverage for each insured with benefit limits as follows:

    (1) Medical and hospital benefits of thirty-five thousand dollars;

    (2) A funeral expense benefit of two thousand dollars;

    (3) Income continuation benefits of thirty-five thousand dollars, subject to a limit of seven hundred dollars per week; and

    (4) Loss of services benefits of fourteen thousand six hundred dollars.

    * The above information has been copied from wa.gov.

  • RCW 46.52.130 - Abstract of driving record—Access—Fee—Violations.

    (2) Release of abstract of driving record.

    (iii) Any policy of insurance may not be canceled, nonrenewed, denied, or have the rate increased on the basis of information regarding an accident included in the abstract of a driving record, unless the policyholder was determined to be at fault.

    - This law means that your insurance cannot change your insurance rates for using your PIP coverage when you are not at fault for a collision.

    * The above information has been copied from wa.gov.