What Do I Need to Know About PIP Insurance?

Texas law requires insurance companies to offer drivers personal injury protection coverage (PIP) in the amount of $2,500 as part of their automobile insurance policy. You can increase coverage up to $10,000. If you decline to purchase PIP Insurance, you must do so in writing. At Springer & Lyle, we strongly encourage you to purchase PIP. It is pure “no fault” coverage so it doesn’t matter who caused the wreck.

What is PIP and How Does it Work

Your own insurance policy provides PIP, which pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other medical costs you and your passengers incur if you are injured in a car accident, no matter who was at fault. If you have PIP, it will even cover you if you were in someone else’s car or, were jogging or riding a bike and someone drove into you. PIP covers:

• Any “reasonable” medical costs whether for an ambulance ride, diagnostic tests, surgery or other medical procedure, prosthetic devices, dental or eye treatments, and professional nursing.
• Medical rehabilitation costs.
• Up to 80 percent of lost income if the injured person was working at the time of the accident.
• Replacement of necessary services, such as housekeeping if the injured party was not a wage earner and was providing the services at the time of the accident.
• Funeral expenses.

Each person injured in your car is covered up to the amount of PIP you purchased. For example, if your coverage was for $5,000, PIP would pay each person in the car up to $5,000 if they can document their expenses.

Who is Covered?

PIP covers:

• The policyholder.
• All authorized drivers of the insured vehicle.
• Relatives living in the household of the policyholder.
• Passengers.
• The policyholder and members of the household if they are injured in someone else’s vehicle or as a pedestrian.
• The policyholder and members of the household if hit by a vehicle and injured while riding a bike.
• The policyholder and members of the household if injured while using public transportation.

The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you obtain the reasonable compensation you are entitled to for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical damage. Contact us at 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.