People seeking auto insurance in Pennsylvania are required to also obtain personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, but many do not understand what this coverage does. PIP can be highly beneficial in the event of a vehicle wreck, as it can provide much needed coverage for medical bills.
It is important that people understand how personal injury protection coverage works in Altoona. If you are interested in learning more about this coverage, consider speaking with an Altoona car collision attorney.
Personal injury protection coverage is insurance money that is available to pay medical bills that arise from an auto accident. This coverage applies no matter who is at fault. For instance, if a claimant is rear-ended in Altoona, even though someone else is at-fault, the claimant’s own PIP coverage will pay his or her own medical bills. Similarly, if a claimant is at-fault for her own accident, such as colliding with a tree, the PIP coverage will cover the medical bills.
Every auto policy issued in Pennsylvania is required to have PIP coverage of at least $5,000.00 of benefits, and the vast majority of drivers have this amount of coverage to pay their medical bills. One can choose to purchase additional amounts of PIP coverage, such as $10,000, $25,000, or even $100,000 to cover medical bills.
Once the PIP coverage is exhausted, then the injured party’s health insurance company, if any, has to be notified and that company would resume paying the bills under the terms of his or her plan. This would be subject to the insured being responsible for copays, deductibles, and other coverage restrictions such as requirements to treat with in-network providers.
If a person does not have personal injury protection coverage because he or she does not have an auto insurance policy, he or she could still be covered if he or she resides with somebody who does have an auto policy with PIP coverage. Otherwise, the individual could make a claim against the defendant driver’s insurance company for the payment of those medical bills. The injured driver could also look to his or her health insurance to cover medical bills, if there is no applicable PIP coverage.
What many people in the area do not realize is that even if they are not at-fault for the accident that caused their injuries, their own auto PIP coverage will pay their bills to the limit of their policy. Additionally, PIP coverage does not impact the premium, as long as the claimant is not responsible for the vehicle wreck.
Since PIP covers medical bills, people injured in vehicle collisions may think they do not need to work with an Altoona lawyer. However, a seasoned attorney could be highly beneficial.
A legal representative could help ensure that the billing is done correctly, as many hospitals will automatically bill the health insurance coverage when they should be billing the PIP coverage. This can be especially important for people whose health insurance plan has a right of subrogation, which is a right to be paid back for medical bills it covered out of any recovery the claimant receives for injuries. PIP coverage does not include a right of subrogation.
If you or your loved one have been hurt in a car crash, it is important that you receive the coverage you are owed. Personal injury protection coverage in Altoona will cover your medical bills regardless of whether you are totally or partially at-fault for the wreck. To ensure you are getting the coverage you need, call the office of Marcus & Mack and schedule a free consultation.
