When you are looking for the best car insurance in Washington, D.C., you may have heard your agent talk about personal injury protection coverage, or PIP. It may be part of your insurance.
Washington is a no fault district. Insurers are required to offer PIP coverage to motorists when they buy their policies. It is possible to find out more about Washington D.C. PIP Insurance.
What is PIP insurance?
There are many parts to your insurance policy, some of which must be met by law. Washington D.C. requires you to have liability coverage for injuries and property damage, as well as coverage for uninsured motorists. Optional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision, may be available.
PIP insurance in Washington D.C. is not the same as these other types. It provides quick and comprehensive coverage to cover your medical and rehabilitation costs following an accident. It covers your passengers’ medical, rehabilitation and treatment needs. This coverage will ensure that you receive a check without the need for lengthy legal proceedings or litigation.
What is Washington D.C. PIP?
Washington D.C. personal injury protection works slightly differently to PIP in other states and regions. D.C. is a hybrid state that does not require PIP, but insurance companies are required to offer it. When signing up for insurance, drivers have the option of either no-fault coverage or fault-based coverage.
You will get a policy with PIP if you choose no fault. The policyholder has 60 days in which to decide whether they want these benefits or the more complicated route of filing a claim against another driver after an accident.
Is Washington D.C. required to have PIP? It is not required, but all drivers have access to it.
What is PIP insurance Washington D.C.? It will generally cover the following:
- Ambulance services
- X-rays
- Surgery costs
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Diagnostics
- Injured persons may lose their wages
- Some household chores, like a cleaning service for someone who is injured, can be done while you are not there.
One drawback to PIP coverage in Washington D.C. is that you lose the right to sue another driver. In fact, no-fault laws were created to keep the court from wasting time and money on expensive cases relating to accidents.
What is Washington D.C. PIP? Imagine you’re in an accident and suffer injuries that require hospitalization. You can immediately file a claim to your PIP and you should be able to receive a check quickly to cover your medical costs. You must do this to give up your right to sue another driver. This could take many years, but it would allow you to increase the amount for pain and suffering. If you win the lawsuit you may be able to receive a significant financial reward but it will cost you time and money.
Washington D.C.: Is PIP mandatory?
PIP is an optional coverage in Washington D.C. Usually, no-fault states require PIP coverage as a mandatory part of each driver’s insurance policy. Instead, PIP in Washington D.C. allows drivers to choose between the at-fault or no-fault option when they purchase their policy.
PIP insurance in Washington D.C. is similar to another type of coverage called medical payments, or medpay, but PIP has more extensive applications, since it covers lost wages and other costs in addition to medical costs. Although Medpay is optional in the District, it is less common than PIP.
What is the cost of PIP in Washington D.C.
The average cost of car insurance in Washington D.C., is $1,855 annually. However, PIP is only a fraction of this expenditure. Your car’s liability coverage is where the majority of your premiums go.
Your individual costs will be unique to you. Insurance companies consider many factors, such as the age and make of your vehicle, credit rating, and your age. Even if you drive the same car, your insurance cost will differ from that of your neighbor.
After Washington D.C. PIP Insurance has been explained to you, the following points will be clear:
- Washington D.C. does not require PIP, but it is required when you sign up to a policy.
- You can sue another driver in an accident where they are at fault for your pain or suffering if you opt out from PIP. However, this right is lost if you file a PIP claim.
- After an accident, PIP can help you get a quick and efficient payout from insurance.
- The cost of PIP is minimal compared to comprehensive car insurance. It will depend on many factors.
Questions frequently asked
How do I file a PIP claim and when should I?
After an accident, you would file a PIP Claim. This is usually to claim medical expenses. PIP doesn’t pay for car damage. However, it will cover medical expenses and lost wages as well as hospital stays. PIP can be filed in Washington D.C. within 60 days of the accident.
Is PIP and medical payment the same thing?
Although they are very similar, they are not identical. The main difference is that medpay (or medical payments) does not cover lost wages, household assistance costs, and may not pay for some therapy costs. Medpay can also require you pay back benefits if any money is recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurance, if they were at fault. This requirement is not applicable to PIP.
