What is PIP Insurance?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is the portion of a car insurance policy that provides medical expenses and work loss coverage for you and your passengers after a car accident, regardless of fault.
💡 PIP coverage is often a requirement in "no-fault" states, as it covers your injuries no matter who caused the accident.
- State law requires it.
- You commonly drive with passengers in your vehicle who could hold you responsible for their medical expenses if they were injured in an accident.
- You don’t have a great health insurance plan. A robust health insurance plan makes high PIP limits less necessary. If in doubt, check with your healthcare provider.
What does PIP cover?
PIP is intended to reduce the likelihood of lawsuits after a collision. Even if you are at fault in an auto accident, medical expenses for you and your passengers will be covered up to the policy’s limit.
PIP and bodily injury coverage work together to protect everyone after a crash. Bodily injury liability helps cover the other driver’s injuries, while PIP helps cover yours.
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Medical bills, including surgical fees and rehabilitation services
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Ambulance fees
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Lost wages
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Funeral expenses
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Death benefit
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Vehicle damage: PIP won't cover repairs for your car.
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Theft or whether damage: These are covered under comprehensive insurance.
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Property damage: Liability coverage is required to cover property damage.
Much like other car insurance coverages, PIP has limits. These vary by state, but a PIP limit represents how much your policy will pay out in the event of a claim.
Where is PIP required?
While there are about 20 no-fault states that offer some level of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, only 12 states require it:
Other states with PIP coverage
The following states offer personal injury protection, but it is not required of all drivers. This coverage must often be waived in writing.
At-fault states with PIP optional:
Choice no-fault states
- Kentucky
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
No-Fault Insurance: Everything You Need to Know | The Zebra
Learn about no-fault insurance laws, the states where it’s mandatory, what coverage it includes, and what you can expect to pay for premiums in each state.
How much does PIP insurance cost?
The cost of PIP insurance depends on factors such as coverage level, age, type of vehicle, your auto insurance company, and location. The data below is reflective of a 30-year-old male driver with no accident, good credit, and the owner of a 2016 Honda Civic.
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Find the PIP insurance you need quickly and easily!
PIP vs. other insurance types
Because PIP overlaps with coverages like medical payments and health insurance, it’s easy to mix them up. Here's the breakdown:
🔎 How much PIP coverage do you need?
The amount of PIP coverage needed is often determined by your state. Though, as we've covered, you're given the choice in some places. Michigan residents, for example, can now choose their limits. In this case:
- Consider your health insurance situation and potential medical costs when deciding on coverage limits.
- Evaluate additional factors such as your income and essential services needs.
"With a no-fault system, any claim you make will impact your insurance." says Riliey Cullip. "At least if it's an at-fault system, there is a chance that the other person is found at fault in an accident and your premiums won't be raised as a result."
Auto insurance rates after PIP claims
The amount you will pay after a PIP claim will vary considerably depending on your company and the circumstances of the claim. Because of the high cost of claims payouts, many companies drop clients should they accumulate more than three PIP claims in a three-year period.
⚠️ If you’re currently in a situation where you cannot find insurance because of your driving record, your best option is to shop with non-standard insurance companies.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | 1 PIP claim | 2 PIP claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,484 | $1,485 | $1,524 |
| Farmers | $1,202 | $1,273 | $1,332 |
| State Farm | $1,178 | $1,178 | $1,178 |
| Progressive | $1,076 | $1,077 | $1,129 |
| Nationwide | $1,070 | $1,070 | $1,077 |
| GEICO | $949 | $949 | $963 |
| USAA | $831 | $831 | $838 |
Source: The Zebra
📍 Don't discount regional insurance companies
Smaller, regional car insurance companies can often offer competitive coverage at an affordable rate. If your current insurer drops you after too many PIP claims — or if you’re simply ready to see what else is out there — be sure to include local providers in your search.
Frequently asked questions: Personal Injury Protection
See how much you could save on auto insurance with PIP—compare quotes from top insurers.
Background on: No-fault auto insurance. Insurance Information Institute
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.