With a wide range of different insurance coverage options, there are many different plan choices that are available to provide driver’s with the most amount of protection possible. Although personal injury protection is not mandatory in all states, this specific form of coverage should be carried by almost all motor vehicle operators. If you are a resident of New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Kentucky, Minnesota, Hawaii, Kansas, Delaware, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Kansas, New Jersey, North Dakota or Utah, personal injury protection is required in order to legally operate a vehicle. Because of the importance, there are a few different essential components to this type of auto insurance protection.
The Background on Personal Injury Protection
A form of auto insurance coverage, personal injury protection is designed to assist anyone that has been injured in a car accident with their specific medical costs or living expenses. Although some medical expenses are generally covered by basic insurance policies and health insurance plans, this specific type of protection will cover higher medical costs. In fact, personal injury protection will sometimes even cover pain and suffering, lost work wages, funeral costs and other types of alternative medicine. One of the best features to this particular type of insurance is that it contains a no-fault clause. Basically, this means that anyone that is injured due to an accident will be compensated even if it was determined that the driver was not at fault. Adding to the benefits of this form of insurance coverage, there is no premium increase if a claim is filed.
The Covered Parties under Personal Injury Protection
Regardless of fault, both the driver and the other parties involved in an auto accident are covered by personal injury protection. This includes any pedestrians, bicyclists or other drivers that are involved with a car accident. While these parties are generally covered by this type of insurance, there are a few exceptions. For example, people that are operating a motorcycle, farm equipment, recreational vehicle or a moped will not be covered under personal injury protection. Even though motorcycle operators are not protected by another party’s coverage, these drivers can still get a more expensive version of personal injury protection. When it comes to motorcycle coverage, it’s important to know that policy holders will not be protected if an accident occurs due to a racing injury.
The Difference between Heath Insurance and Personal Injury Protection
Depending on your current heath insurance coverage, you may not need personal injury protection. Of course, this is only true for the states that don’t require this type of coverage. In order to determine if you need personal injury protection, you will need to check the terms and conditions section of your current medical coverage to see if lost wages and additional medical expenses are covered. If they are covered, there is a good chance that you will not need to sign up for personal injury protection.