November 7, 2023
Does Pennsylvania PIP Insurance Cover Passengers?
Many auto insurance policyholders have PIP insurance but do not understand what it is or how it works. They pay for this coverage but do not know how the benefits are determined and if PIP insurance will cover passengers. It is easy to become confused, especially after a serious car accident.
Since Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, PIP is mandatory coverage for all automobile insurance policies issued in the state. The minimum amount required in Pennsylvania is $5,000 per person per accident. It is possible to have higher PIP coverage, but the premiums are higher.
These benefits are assigned to cover costs for medical bills and lost wages. At the medical facility, you provide your auto insurance policy information, and they bill that provider directly. There should not be any deductibles or co-pays as with health insurance.
Depending on the circumstances, PIP can cover passengers. Medical payments can be made to you and them up to the PIP limit shown on your policy. If you or your passengers cannot work because of injuries related to the crash, there could also be reimbursement; additional monies might be allotted to cover household services if they cannot be handled. PIP does not cover property damage, however.
Fortunately, your auto insurance rates should not increase after making a PIP claim. They can go up for other reasons, so speak with your representative if you notice a higher rate.
What About the Other Driver’s Insurance?
You might be able to file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance, but this depends on the type of coverage you have chosen. These are the two options for a Pennsylvania auto insurance policy.
If you opted for no-fault, claims get filed through your insurance provider after a crash. This should give you coverage for medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs. You can only file a lawsuit against an allegedly at-fault driver if you meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold. According to the Pennsylvania State Assembly, this is defined as bodily injuries that create a “substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
With the no-fault option, you might be compensated more quickly but cannot recover damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Fault-based or full tort insurance is more expensive, and it can take longer for claimants to receive compensation. However, you have more flexibility with filing claims against another driver’s insurance and can claim pain and suffering.
Contact a Lansdale Car Accident Lawyer at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. for a Free Consultation
Pennsylvania car insurance can be complicated, and often, legal guidance is needed. An experienced Lansdale car accident lawyer at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. can answer your questions. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 267-861-7100 or complete our online form. Located in Philadelphia and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.