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Personal injury protection insurance (PIP) is an essential coverage that helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services after an accident, regardless of who's at fault.
In this car insurance shopping guide, we'll explore PIP insurance rates from leading providers, with USAA offering the lowest monthly rate at $35. Discover comprehensive coverage details, benefits, and smart strategies to reduce premiums while ensuring adequate protection for you and your passengers.
Avoid expensive premiums by using our free comparison tool to find the lowest car insurance rates possible.
What You Should Know
- PIP insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and home care after an accident
- USAA offers the lowest monthly PIP rate at $35, followed by Geico at $40
- Save on personal injury protection coverage by enrolling in telematics programs
Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cost
How much PIP coverage should I get? Many states set a personal injury protection minimum that drivers must carry, but higher limits can provide better protection. Using a car insurance calculator can help estimate the ideal coverage amount based on medical costs and income replacement needs.
Insurance Company | PIP Coverage |
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$45 |
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$68 |
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$52 |
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$58 |
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$40 |
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$50 |
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$47 |
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$42 |
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$49 |
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$35 |
Above is a table of monthly personal injury protection insurance rates from top insurers, highlighting cost differences among providers. The average PIP insurance costs vary by provider, with USAA offering the lowest at $35 and Allstate the highest at $68, making it essential to compare rates for the best value.
Saving a little by reducing your coverage amounts may be tempting, but it's important to consider the potential pitfalls. Learn more: https://t.co/mTgB6AA7jW pic.twitter.com/fKBWz6AYb7
— USAA (@USAA) October 25, 2022
Understanding how PIP insurance works is crucial for drivers, especially PIP requirements in no-fault states, where it provides coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs regardless of who caused the accident.
Personal Injury Protection Insurance Meaning
Personal injury protection (PIP) on car insurance is a type of coverage that helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services after an accident, regardless of fault. Unlike liability insurance, which covers damages to others, PIP covers you and your passengers.
Do I need PIP insurance if I have health insurance? PIP can still be beneficial as it covers costs that health insurance might not, such as lost wages and caregiver expenses. It also differs from medical payment coverage by including additional benefits like rehabilitation and lost income.
There are other advantages of having PIP car insurance coverage, such as quick claim payouts, but also potential drawbacks and coverage gaps, like policy limits and higher premiums.
Read More: How to Buy Car Insurance
PIP Insurance Coverage & Benefits
What does PIP insurance cover? It extends beyond medical bills to include rehabilitation costs, essential services like childcare, and even survivor benefits in case of a fatality. How PIP works in different states varies significantly — some states mandate PIP as part of their no-fault laws, while others offer it as optional coverage.
The table below compares personal injury protection vs. medical payments coverage and other car insurance types, outlining key coverage differences.
Coverage Type | Who Covers | Medical Bills | Lost Wages | Funeral Costs | Required in Some States |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Policyholder & Passengers | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Some States |
Medical Payments (MedPay) | Policyholder & Passengers | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Some States |
Liability Insurance (Bodily Injury) | At-Fault Driver’s Insurance | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | All States |
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) | Uninsured Driver’s Insurance | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Some States |
Collision Coverage | Policyholder’s Vehicle | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not Required |
Comprehensive Coverage | Policyholder’s Vehicle | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not Required |
Medical costs paid for by PIP include hospital charges, surgeries, and even mental health treatment, making it a more comprehensive choice than simple medical payment coverage.
However, PIP insurance has its limitations. It does not cover vehicle repairs, damage to other people’s property, or injuries sustained by the at-fault driver in another vehicle. You still need liability car insurance for that.
Understanding how PIP differs from other auto insurance coverages, including comprehensive car insurance, helps policyholders determine the best protection for both their health and finances.
Smart Strategies to Lower Personal Injury Protection Insurance Rates
Many insurance providers offer genius ways to save money on personal injury protection (PIP) by rewarding policyholders who take proactive steps to reduce risk. Enrolling in safe driving programs or telematics-based tracking can unlock additional savings.
Insurance Company | Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Discounts |
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Offers PIP discounts for bundling with home or renters insurance and maintaining a clean driving record. |
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Provides PIP discounts through bundling options and safe driving programs like Drivewise. |
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Provides discounts for safe driving and bundling auto insurance with other policies. |
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Offers savings on PIP when policyholders enroll in signal-based telematics programs or bundle multiple policies. |
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Provides PIP discounts for policyholders with multiple policies, accident-free records, or vehicles with advanced safety features. |
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Offers discounts on PIP when combined with accident-free or multi-policy savings. |
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Offers savings on PIP coverage when bundled with home or renters insurance, plus potential discounts for continuous insurance. |
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Offers discounts for bundling PIP with other coverages and safe driver discounts that can lower overall premiums. |
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Provides lower PIP premiums through multi-policy discounts and safe driver incentives. |
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Exclusive discounts for military members and their families, plus safe driver savings. |
Some insurance companies give you discounts if you have a clean driving record or if your car has advanced safety features, and there are special savings for certain groups, like military members and their families.
Bundling PIP with home or renters insurance is also a common strategy to lower premiums. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can lower your PIP costs while still keeping the coverage you need.
Choosing The Best PIP Insurance Company
When shopping for personal injury protection insurance policies, drivers should carefully examine the minimum liability requirements in their state, as some laws require PIP minimums on every auto policy.
USAA leads with the lowest monthly PIP auto insurance rate at $35 for military members and families, followed by Geico at $40 per month. However, choosing the best car insurance company requires looking beyond prices to consider insurer reputation, claims handling, and available discounts.
Finding optimal personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage means comparing multiple quotes and selecting coverage that protects both your healthcare and your finances. Ready to find the perfect plan? Get instant insurance quotes from our free comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of personal injury protection insurance?
Personal injury protection pays for the personal injuries you and your passengers sustain in a car accident up to the policy limits. It covers hospital stays and offers financial assistance while you recover.
Who pays for car damage in a no-fault state?
In no-fault states, PIP covers personal injuries, while property damage is typically covered by collision insurance or the at-fault driver's property damage liability coverage.
Read More: If a car accident is not your fault, does your insurance go up?
What is the personal injury protection segment of your policy?
PIP is a coverage section that helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
How much money do you get with personal injury protection insurance?
PIP coverage amounts vary by state and policy, ranging from $2,500 to over $300,000.
How long does a PIP insurance claim take?
PIP claims processing times vary by insurer and complexity of the case, but they typically offer quicker payouts compared to traditional liability claims since fault determination isn't required.
Read More: When to File a Car Insurance Claim
What is an example of personal injury protection coverage?
PIP covers various expenses like hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, childcare expenses, funeral costs, and mental health treatment following an accident.
Does personal injury protection insurance give you a check?
Yes, PIP insurance can provide direct payment for covered expenses, either to you or directly to medical providers, depending on your policy terms and state regulations.
What medical conditions qualify you for PIP?
PIP covers accident-related injuries, including but not limited to broken bones, whiplash, concussions, and other physical injuries requiring medical treatment or rehabilitation.
Do you need personal injury protection on your car insurance?
Yes, PIP insurance is recommended and may be required in some states. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services after an accident, providing benefits beyond regular health insurance, with rates starting at $35 monthly from USAA.
Read More: How To Find Affordable Health Insurance
Is it worth having PIP insurance?
Having personal injury protection is valuable, especially in no-fault states where it's required. It provides essential coverage for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Use our free comparison tool to find the lowest PIP insurance rates possible.