Personal Injury Protection Insurances

Medical payments insurance covers the cost of doctors, hospitals, and funeral expenses, for you and/or your passengers, that result from an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage will also protect you when you drive another person’s car (with permission) or if a vehicle strikes you or family members, as pedestrians. This coverage is relatively inexpensive. Although it varies by state, coverage is generally available with limits between $1,000 and $100,000.

Personal injury protection (PIP) is a form of insurance coverage that may be required in states with no-fault laws. This coverage is a broader form of medical payments insurance. It pays for medical care, and may pay for lost wages and replacement services for an injured party (for example, paying for a babysitter for children while a mother is hospitalized). It pays regardless of who is at fault in an accident. States with no fault laws may limit the right to sue for non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering, but you may still be able to sue in cases of incapacitating disability or death. This coverage varies by state, and is sometimes an optional offering in states without no-fault laws. When evaluating this coverage, remember that medical payments insurance and PIP also protect your passengers.

Before considering medical payments or personal injury protection coverage, check with your state insurance department for details of no-fault coverage/requirements in your state.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Protection
If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you have very little chance of collecting damages from that driver. Uninsured motorists (UM) coverage pays the cost of damages and injuries resulting from being hit by an uninsured driver or by a hit-and-run driver. It also provides coverage if an uninsured driver strikes you or family members as pedestrians. It provides coverage for both you and your passengers for medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related losses.

You may also be able to collect for pain and suffering. Similarly, underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage will pay for damages that exceed the amount of coverage carried by an underinsured driver.

You choose the amount of coverage when you buy this protection. Keep in mind that both uninsured and underinsured motorists insurance requirements vary by state.