Washington Injury Law Blog

Insurance is one of those necessary evils in life.  We hate to have to pay for it, but when we need it it makes all the difference.  Built in to many vehicle insurance policies (also other types of insurance policies, including homeowners insurance) is a form of health insurance called by various names, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or med-pay.

This coverage is available to the driver and any passengers in the insured vehicle for injuries sustained, regardless of the fault of the driver. It is important to note that the insurance policy of a driver who hits another car does not pay the medical bills of the people he may injure in the other car under his PIP benefits or med-pay in most situations. (Liability insurance covers this instead.)

PIP benefits are limited to the driver of and passengers in the insured vehicle. The injured person looks to his own insurance policy or the policy on the vehicle in which he was a passenger for PIP or med-pay benefits. There is an exception to this general rule for Pedestrians and Bicyclists. In Washington pedestrians and bicyclists may be covered by PIP benefits of the car that hits and injures them, but only if the car had PIP insurance which can be waived.

Depending on the state, lost wages from missing work due to your injuries may be covered by PIP benefits, and are also known sometimes as economic loss protection benefits. Simple med-pay benefits ordinarily do not include reimbursement of lost wages.

The amount of PIP, med-pay, or economic loss protection benefits available is determined by reference to the policy limit for this particular type of coverage, which may, in turn, be dictated by the law of the state in which the policy is issued.

In Washington all auto liability insurance policies must (unless you sign a waiver declining it) carry at least $10,000 in PIP benefits to cover medical bills, lost wages or any combination of the two. Many insurance companies offer higher limits and you should be able to get $35,000 PIP limits for very low additional cost. 

I recommend you carry as much PIP insurance as possible.  With the high cost of medical care these days, your medical bills can quickly add up to $10,000 for a relatively minor injury car accident.  If you’re in a car accident and seriously injured requiring hospitalization or surgery, $10,000 can be gone in a couple days or in one surgical procedure. Protect yourself and your family and purchase as much PIP insurance as you can afford. I do and sleep better because of it!