Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
The Texas Department of Insurance requires automobile insurance
carriers in our state to issue all automobile policies it writes at
least $2500 worth of coverage and you have this coverage unless you
reject it in writing. Most people are unaware of this coverage or even
know what it is and therefore very few people use it. You end up
paying for coverage that they don’t inform you about and you’re
entitled to.
Why? Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent
and claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident.
Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to
make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits and
bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto
policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage is
available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause of
the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible and
no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover the
other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then you
could still be covered if you were in an accident in another state
besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a crosswalk
by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance
carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month
period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a
sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There
is a chance that the other party may never pay for your medical
expenses leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind
that your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance,
you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if the
health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they could
request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a medical
provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees to be paid
months or even years later. Since there are a limited number of
medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your choice and
quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to use your PIP
coverage so you will not have to pay for medical expenses out of your
pocket and get the best possible healthcare treatment available for you
and your family’s injuries caused by the accident.
No comments:
Post a Comment