Included in your monthly premium for auto insurance is a “Personal Injury Protection” or PIP coverage. This is there to cover any cost of treatment received due to pain and discomfort from a car accident. This means that you can receive treatment after a car accident at no additional cost to you.
Q: What is personal injury protection (PIP) insurance?
A: PIP is a medical insurance provided through your auto Insurance. It is required on all auto policies in Utah and the minimum coverage is $3,000 of “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses following a collision. It also covers you if you were a passengers, pedestrian or bicyclist.
Q: How do I use PIP?
A: Open a claim through YOUR OWN auto insurance (regardless of who is at fault). If you were not at fault, your insurance company will seek reimbursement through the at fault party’s insurance. That is the Utah law and how is works in this state.
Q: Will seeking treatment raise my premium?
A: No! Your insurance company gets reimbursed from the at fault party’s insurance, meaning your premium will not be raised if you open a PIP claim. By law insurance companies can not raise your premium if you seek medical care for injuries sustained in a car accident. (this is important for you to know and to communicate with your insurance).
Q: the accident wasn’t my fault, am I still covered?
A: Yes! If you were declared NOT AT FAULT then you may actually have access to more medical care coverage then you have on your auto insurance policy. If you are declared AT FAULT then you can only receive treatment up to the PIP coverage in your auto insurance policy.
Q: If I was a passenger in the collision, am I still covered?
A: Yes! There is PIP coverage for all passengers in an accident. The claim would be opened through the auto insurance of the driver.
Q: What other benefits does PIP coverage entail?
A: PIP can also cover you for loss of wages If they are lost due to pain from injuries sustained from the car accident. You will need record of the lost wages provided by your employer and (if applicable) your doctor to receive this added benefit.
Q: What information do I need to get started?
A: To get started on your recovery, the clinic will need the following information.
The date of the accident
Insurance Company Name and Claim Number (PIP Claim – Not Auto Claim) That number will be given to you by your insurance company
That’s it! All communication about care/payments will be handled by your doctor’s office and insurance company.
Q: Do I need to meet with an attorney before seeking care?
A: No, not to start feeling better. You can come to Performance Sport & Spine to seek treatment right away. No need to put off feeling better. After you see us we will recommend that you meet with an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases to 1) make sure that you understand your legal rights and logistics in your case and 2) make sure that you are fully taken care and get your life back to how it was before your auto accident. We know some great attorneys that we trust and know would go out of their way to take care of you. Come ask us if you looking to meet with one. Remember, their job is to hold the insurance companies accountable for what was promised to you in your monthly premium contract.
Call today and schedule your first treatment to get life back in order after the car accident.