Even most non-fatal crashes result in injury. Should you get injured in an accident without personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in your car insurance policy, you could have to pay expensive medical bills out of pocket. Having PIP auto insurance can help you get back on track after you suffer injuries in an accident.
An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the PIP coverage you need as well as any other types of car insurance you may want. They'll get you matched to the right policy fast. But first, here's a breakdown of personal injury protection and what it covers.
Key Takeaways - What Is PIP Insurance?
Personal injury protection insurance can help pay medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and replacement services if you're injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
PIP insurance costs an average of just $191 per year, but costs vary by insurer and location.
PIP insurance is required in the 12 no-fault states, plus Maryland, Delaware, and Oregon.
If you're seriously injured in an accident, your PIP insurance will pay first, followed by your health insurance for covered medical expenses.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can shop and compare car insurance policies with PIP coverage from multiple carriers near you to find the best deal.
What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Personal injury protection, also known as PIP or even "no-fault insurance," is a type of car insurance coverage that can be added to your auto insurance policy. PIP insurance coverage is mandatory in some states and offered as an optional add-on in others.
PIP coverage helps pay for medical bills related to an accident, regardless of who's at fault. It also covers accidents that occur when you're not driving, such as riding your bike or riding as a passenger in someone else's vehicle. Coverage applies to drivers, passengers, and household members.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
Policies vary from state to state, but PIP or no-fault auto insurance typically covers accidents and injuries involving a moving vehicle of any kind. PIP car insurance helps cover medical bills due to a vehicle accident.
It can also provide coverage for lost wages, funeral expenses, and replacement services. It can cover you as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist if you're struck by a car.
What PIP insurance typically covers
Personal injury protection insurance can reimburse you for the following after an accident:
- Medical bills: PIP covers any medical bills related to hospitalization, operations, and additional medical care after an accident.
- Lost wages: If you’re injured to the point of not being able to go back to work, PIP can provide up to six weeks of coverage for your lost wages.
- Funeral services: If someone dies in a vehicle accident, PIP can help pay for funeral costs.
- Replacement services: If your injury leaves you unable to continue everyday activities such as mowing the lawn, PIP can provide funds for you to hire someone else to help with these tasks until you're able to.
PIP coverage is slightly different from medical payments coverage, which doesn't include reimbursement for lost wages. Ask your independent insurance agent to help ensure your car insurance policy includes PIP or no-fault insurance.
What PIP Insurance Doesn't Cover
It's helpful to be aware of PIP exclusions before you ever need to file a claim. Personal injury protection or no-fault insurance doesn't cover any of the following:
- Damage done to your vehicle
- Vehicle theft
- Damage to someone else's property
- Any medical expenses unrelated to the accident or exceeding your policy limits
- Intentional acts
An independent insurance agent can further explain what's not covered by your PIP insurance.
How Does PIP Insurance Work After an Accident?
In "no-fault" insurance states, if a driver is injured in an accident, their auto insurance policy pays for their medical expenses related to the crash, regardless of who was at fault. PIP coverage allows drivers to receive benefits to pay for their injuries even if the other driver was at fault and lacked their own insurance or if they were struck by a hit-and-run driver.
You might also want uninsured motorist insurance to recover additional damages after a hit-and-run accident. Anyone in the policyholder's vehicle is covered by PIP or no-fault insurance, including passengers.
Filing a PIP claim after a car accident works differently by location. Each state has different no-fault claim filing windows. For example, Florida's is 14 days, and New York's is 30 days. You must file a PIP insurance claim within this window to have a chance of approval and reimbursement. Your independent insurance agent can further explain how PIP claims work.
Which States Require PIP Insurance in 2026?
Currently, 15 states require PIP auto insurance in 2026, or 12 no-fault states, plus Delaware, Maryland, and Oregon. In the 12 no-fault states, a driver is in charge of their own injuries and property damage in the event of an accident. In Florida, PIP remains mandatory in 2026, but repeal bills filed in 2021, 2025, and 2026 sessions were either vetoed or died in committee.
Typically, if you're in an accident with another person and it's not your fault, their insurance will pay for any damage or injuries. In no-fault states, everyone involved in an accident is required to file a claim with their own insurance, regardless of who is at fault. You can ask your independent insurance agent for more information about the PIP-required states in 2026.
No-fault states that require PIP coverage
Currently, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are classified as "choice no-fault states" where drivers can choose tort coverage instead of PIP. The no-fault states that require PIP are as follows:
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
Other states that require PIP coverage
Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, Washington, and Washington, D.C., offer PIP as an optional add-on coverage.
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Oregon
PIP is automatically included in your auto policy in these states unless you sign a refusal of coverage letter. In the remaining states, personal injury protection insurance can still be available, but it is not required.
Why Is PIP Insurance Necessary?
In the event of an accident, PIP protects you, your family, and anyone in the car from out-of-pocket medical expenses. It even covers you when you’re riding in other people’s vehicles or if you’re riding on the back of a motorcycle.
The coverage can prove to be very useful, especially if you have a high medical insurance deductible. PIP coverage can also be critical in non-no-fault states.
Even if you're not located in a no-fault state, PIP can protect you if you're in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. About one in seven U.S. drivers is uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council (IRC). If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, it can provide an extra layer of protection against the risks you face on the road. However, keep in mind that PIP coverage isn't available in every state.
How Much Does PIP Insurance Cost in 2026?
The average cost of PIP insurance per month is $16, or about $191 per year. Coverage costs can range from $50 to $200 per year, with monthly costs ranging from $14 to $50. Coverage costs also vary depending on how much coverage you buy, such as $10,000, $50,000, or $100,000. Florida and Michigan have the highest average PIP insurance costs.
However, the cost of PIP insurance depends on your age, the make and model of your vehicle, and the amount of coverage you need. Working with an independent insurance agent can help you secure the most affordable coverage available.
PIP Coverage Limits by State
In Michigan, PIP coverage is "stackable," which means you can access the PIP coverage limits for every vehicle insured on the same policy. For example, if you had three insured vehicles with $50,000 in PIP coverage each, you could stack your coverage together for a total limit of $150,000.
Florida's PIP insurance requirement is a minimum of $10,000. The table below compares the PIP insurance limits by state for 2026.
| State | PIP Requirement |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $15K / $30K (per person/accident) |
| Florida | $10K |
| Hawaii | $10K |
| Kansas | $4.5K |
| Kentucky | $10K (choice no-fault) |
| Massachusetts | $8K |
| Michigan | Varies (unlimited default; selectable) |
| Minnesota | $40K ($20K medical / $20K wage) |
| New Jersey | $15K (choice no-fault) |
| New York | $50K |
| North Dakota | $30K |
| Oregon | $15K |
| Pennsylvania | $5K (choice no-fault) |
| Utah | $3K |
How Much PIP Coverage Should You Buy?
It's recommended to match your household's health insurance deductible at a minimum when asking, "How much PIP coverage do I need?" PIP limit recommendations for multiple drivers sharing a vehicle are higher in states with high medical costs. An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the PIP coverage you need.
PIP vs. MedPay vs. Bodily Injury Liability
The table below compares PIP vs. MedPay and PIP vs. bodily injury liability coverage.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| PIP |
Medical expenses Lost wages Replacement services |
Mandatory in some states |
| MedPay | Medical expenses only | Optional |
| Bodily Injury Liability | Third-party injuries when you're at fault | Mandatory in most states |
Is PIP the Same As Liability Insurance?
No, these coverages are not the same. Liability insurance is a required type of car insurance coverage in most states. It's designed to help pay for medical expenses and property damage for someone else if you're at fault for an accident. Under a liability car insurance policy, you don't receive coverage for your own injuries.
Personal injury protection or no-fault insurance covers your injuries in the event of an accident. No matter who's at fault, if you come out with injuries and need to be hospitalized, your PIP policy can help reimburse you for related financial losses.
Do You Need PIP If You Have Health Insurance?
If you're injured in a car accident, your health insurance can help pay for the medical bills. However, PIP can help meet your health insurance deductible after an accident. In addition to providing medical coverage for you, PIP or no-fault insurance can also include coverage for lost wages and replacement services, which most health insurance plans don't cover.
Wondering whether PIP insurance or health insurance pays first? In most no-fault states, PIP pays first and is considered your primary coverage. PIP also reimburses you for lost wages, funeral costs, and replacement services that health insurance typically excludes.
How to File a PIP Claim
Filing a PIP claim after an accident is simple when you follow these steps:
- Notify your insurance company within your state's filing window, such as 14 days in Florida or 30 days in New York.
- Gather your medical bills, wage statements for work you've missed, and the police report from the accident.
- Submit the PIP application form to your insurer.
- Follow up on payment within statutory timelines.
An independent insurance agent can also help you with the PIP claim process. They can file a claim directly through your insurance company for you.
FAQs About Personal Injury Protection Insurance
Is PIP insurance the same as no-fault insurance?
PIP is a type of car insurance coverage, while no-fault is the legal system that requires it. PIP is mandatory in 12 no-fault sates plus MD, DE, and OR.
Does PIP cover passengers in my car?
Yes. Anyone in the policyholder's vehicle, including passengers and household family members, is covered by PIP regardless of fault.
Does PIP cover me if I'm hit while walking or biking?
Yes, in most states. PIP follows the policyholder, so it can pay medical bills if you're hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist.
How much PIP coverage do I need?
It's recommended to match your state minimum's requirements at the very least. Consider higher PIP limits if you have a high health insurance deductible, multiple drivers in your household, or live in a high-medical-cost state.
Will PIP raise my car insurance rate?
Adding PIP to your car insurance policy typically only increases your premium by $50 to $200 per year. In mandatory states, PIP is already bundled into the base auto policy.
Does PIP have a deductible?
Some states allow PIP deductibles (e.g., in Florida $250 to $1,000 is typical). A higher deductible lowers your premium but increases out-of-pocket costs if you need to file a claim after a crash.
Can I use PIP and health insurance together?
Yes. PIP usually pays first, while health insurance covers any remaining medical bills above PIP limits. PIP also reimburses lost wages, funeral, and replacement services that health plans typically exclude.
Is PIP being repealed in Florida?
As of May 2026, PIP remains mandatory in Florida. Repeal legislation passed once in 2021 and was later vetoed by Governor DeSantis, and subsequent bills in 2025 and 2026 sessions died in committee.
The Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agent
An independent insurance agent is your greatest ally for finding the right personal injury protection or no-fault insurance. They work with a number of car insurance companies to find not only the best coverage but the most competitive pricing. Down the road, your agent will also be there to help you file car insurance claims or update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/personal-injury-protection-pip.asp
https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/personal-injury-protection-coverage
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/pip-guide/
https://www.libertymutual.com/vehicle/auto-insurance/coverage/personal-injury-protection
https://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/personal-injury-protection-insurance/
https://www.autoinsurance.org/cheap-pip-auto-insurance/
https://www.quote.com/auto-insurance/personal-injury-protection/