If you are just getting car insurance for the first time, renewing a policy, or maybe even just taking a closer look at your existing policy, you may find yourself wondering what your Personal Injury Protection insurance (PIP) is, and why you need it. This type of “no-fault” insurance coverage is a critical component of auto insurance in New Jersey law, designed to essential services and medical expense benefits, and other medical expense benefits regardless of fault in an accident. Whether you are the driver or the passenger, personal injury protection benefits provide coverage for injuries sustained in an accident, offering a safeguard when health insurance coverage or health insurance policies may fall short or are not considered primary. Additionally, PIP coverage extends beyond just medical costs, covering lost wages and essential services in some cases. However, lower coverage limits may leave gaps, and selecting additional PIP coverage can help mitigate these risks.
The team at Balkin & Mausner has a history of helping clients after car accidents who need to use their personal injury protection insurance to get compensated for their injuries, and we will be happy to do the same for you. Determining whether or not you should be using your PIP claim, how to maximize your medical expense coverage, and what to do if you need to tap into other policies like liability insurance or health insurance can be complicated, especially in the early days and weeks after a serious accident. We understand the complexities and are here to help you navigate your interactions with your auto insurance company or any other involved insurance company.
Read more below about personal injury protection (PIP) in New Jersey, and if you are in a situation where you believe that you may need to use this insurance, contact our law firm as soon as possible to speak with an experienced attorney. We can help you secure the financial protection you rightfully deserve under PIP insurance and ensure you get the most out of this important medical expense coverage.
What Is PIP Insurance in New Jersey?
Automotive insurance is mandatory for anyone who owns a vehicle that they will operate on the public roads of the United States, and PIP insurance is an additional mandatory policy in addition to standard policies such as liability insurance. There are a few choices that you will need to make when it comes to choosing PIP insurance, such as whether you will get it through your auto insurance provider or your healthcare provider. Depending on a range of factors, such as cost and coverage details, you will need to make this decision for yourself.
PIP insurance is a no-fault insurance policy that covers all personal injury-related financial impacts up to the policy limits, which vary depending on the amount that you select, but by law must be a minimum of $15,000. If you are in an accident, whether or not you caused, it, you can use this policy – unless you were in an auto accident because you were driving drunk or under the influence of other drugs, or were committing a felony at the time of your motor vehicle accident, you will not be able to use this policy.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover in New Jersey?
Similar to your auto insurance policy, your NJ PIP insurance will cover the standard compensatory economic damages that are typically sought after an accident – however, you will not need to prove that you are the victim of someone else’s negligence or recklessness to have access to the coverage.
The damages that you are able to seek include:
- Medical bills and all associated costs
- Surgical expenses or costs
- Hospital bills
- Medical Expenses relating to your recovery following the auto accident and any subsequent treatments
- Ambulance costs
- Necessary services that you use during your recovery, such as home care, groceries, driving, and more
There are many other damages that you will be able to seek compensation for in addition to those mentioned above, but it is important that you work with an attorney who can help you identify all of these damages to ensure that you are compensated for what you are entitled to.
When To Use Your PIP Insurance In New Jersey
After getting hurt in an accident, there are a variety of options and steps that you will need to consider in order to cover medical bills, recover lost income, and secure the benefits you need to move forward. Whether or not you were at fault for the accident, utilizing your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage might be a good way to access personal injury protection benefits, including medical coverage, income continuation benefits, and essential services benefits. PIP policies also provide death benefits in the event of a fatality. This coverage ensures that your medical treatment is handled promptly, even if your health insurance primary plan does not fully address the costs.
You can choose a policy limit based on your preferences when selecting personal injury protection PIP, meaning the extent of your benefits will depend on your chosen limit. PIP is a crucial resource for individuals involved in auto accidents, offering a financial safety net for injuries and other expenses regardless of who caused the crash.
Contact our firm now so that we can discuss your accident and whether seeking compensation through your PIP coverage is the best or only option for reimbursement. Navigating these complexities can be challenging, especially when dealing with your health insurer or negotiating with an insurance company. You can trust us to handle these details and advocate for your rights while you focus on recovery.