Although we know Gladys Knight had the Pips (sorry, I just couldn't resist that), we don't know if she 
had PIP coverage, also know as Personal Injury Protection coverage. This is one of the most affordable, yet overlooked products that are sold by your insurance agent.
Personal injury protection benefits, otherwise known as PIP, will cover medical expenses, wage loss, burial expenses and other expenses such as nursing care and domestic help while you recover from an injury sustained in a car accident. It will cover you and the members of your household without regard to whether you were at fault.
Many people feel PIP is either unnecessary because they have medical insurance or they think it is too expensive. Both of these beliefs are incorrect. PIP has become an increasingly important component of your insurance portfolio. One of the most overlooked benefits of PIP coverage is that you don't have to wrestle with co-pays, deductibles and provider limitations while you are recovering from a serious injury.
PIP also provides wage loss coverage. At a time where the majority of households are two-income households, wage protection has become increasingly important. Consider the financial hardship you would experience if one income was lost, even for a month. Furthermore, if you are involved in a serious accident, you may not be able to work for several months. If that happens, you may not only lose your medical coverage, have the loss of one income, and, without PIP coverage, not have the resources to pay for medical care or basic household needs.
There are different levels of PIP coverage available ranging from a $10,000.00 minimum and going up from there. The level of coverage available will vary depending on your insurance company, however, all insurance companies in Washington must offer the $10,000 minimum coverage. In deciding how much coverage to buy, make sure to ask about the wage loss component that accompanies your PIP coverage.Typically, a $10,000.00 PIP coverage will pay you the lesser of $200.00 per week or 85% of your weekly earnings up to $10,000.00. Since the wage benefit under the typical $10,000 PIP policy is inadequate for most people, you should consider PIP coverage that is greater than the $10,000.00 minimum.
In our practice we see many people who suffer severe injuries that take well over a year to resolve and which result in far greater than $10,000.00 in medical expenses and lost wages. Having more coverage does not cost that much more, but will provide you with peace of mind.
Remember that you are not required to have PIP coverage. Our legislature felt that PIP coverage was so important that it required your insurance company to offer it to you. If you do not want the coverage, you must reject it in writing. If you do not reject it in writing, the insurance company must add the coverage but can charge you for it.
Rod's Tips:
Whenever you are involved in an accident, always confirm the insurance coverages you have available. If it does not appear you have PIP coverage ask for proof that you signed a written rejection of coverage. If your insurance company cannot produce a written rejection, they must treat you as if you had PIP coverage at the time of the accident.
Keep in mind that when you are involved in a car accident, your health insurance coverage will pay only after you have exhausted your PIP coverage. The rule of thumb is to submit to PIP first and health insurance later.
Nothing in this Blog should be considered legal advice or to form an attorney client relationship. The information provided is general in nature. Nothing can substitute for a consultation with a legal professional who can address your particular legal problem.
had PIP coverage, also know as Personal Injury Protection coverage. This is one of the most affordable, yet overlooked products that are sold by your insurance agent.Personal injury protection benefits, otherwise known as PIP, will cover medical expenses, wage loss, burial expenses and other expenses such as nursing care and domestic help while you recover from an injury sustained in a car accident. It will cover you and the members of your household without regard to whether you were at fault.
Many people feel PIP is either unnecessary because they have medical insurance or they think it is too expensive. Both of these beliefs are incorrect. PIP has become an increasingly important component of your insurance portfolio. One of the most overlooked benefits of PIP coverage is that you don't have to wrestle with co-pays, deductibles and provider limitations while you are recovering from a serious injury.
PIP also provides wage loss coverage. At a time where the majority of households are two-income households, wage protection has become increasingly important. Consider the financial hardship you would experience if one income was lost, even for a month. Furthermore, if you are involved in a serious accident, you may not be able to work for several months. If that happens, you may not only lose your medical coverage, have the loss of one income, and, without PIP coverage, not have the resources to pay for medical care or basic household needs.
There are different levels of PIP coverage available ranging from a $10,000.00 minimum and going up from there. The level of coverage available will vary depending on your insurance company, however, all insurance companies in Washington must offer the $10,000 minimum coverage. In deciding how much coverage to buy, make sure to ask about the wage loss component that accompanies your PIP coverage.Typically, a $10,000.00 PIP coverage will pay you the lesser of $200.00 per week or 85% of your weekly earnings up to $10,000.00. Since the wage benefit under the typical $10,000 PIP policy is inadequate for most people, you should consider PIP coverage that is greater than the $10,000.00 minimum.
In our practice we see many people who suffer severe injuries that take well over a year to resolve and which result in far greater than $10,000.00 in medical expenses and lost wages. Having more coverage does not cost that much more, but will provide you with peace of mind.
Remember that you are not required to have PIP coverage. Our legislature felt that PIP coverage was so important that it required your insurance company to offer it to you. If you do not want the coverage, you must reject it in writing. If you do not reject it in writing, the insurance company must add the coverage but can charge you for it.
Rod's Tips:
Whenever you are involved in an accident, always confirm the insurance coverages you have available. If it does not appear you have PIP coverage ask for proof that you signed a written rejection of coverage. If your insurance company cannot produce a written rejection, they must treat you as if you had PIP coverage at the time of the accident.
Keep in mind that when you are involved in a car accident, your health insurance coverage will pay only after you have exhausted your PIP coverage. The rule of thumb is to submit to PIP first and health insurance later.
Nothing in this Blog should be considered legal advice or to form an attorney client relationship. The information provided is general in nature. Nothing can substitute for a consultation with a legal professional who can address your particular legal problem.
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