What You Need To Know About Medical Payments Coverage or PIP

Personal injury protection (PIP), sometimes called MedPay, is a type of car insurance that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs if you are injured in a car accident. PIP covers you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident. Whether you are at fault or not, PIP will still provide coverage for your medical needs.

How does P.I.P. coverage work?

Personal injury protection coverage in Texas is designed to cover you and your passengers in case of a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP includes medical expenses like surgeries, X-rays, dental treatments, and more, as well as ambulance services, rehabilitation therapy, funeral costs, lost income, and replacement of necessary services.

In Texas, insurance companies are required to offer a minimum of $2,500 in PIP coverage to every driver. However, you can choose to increase your coverage to $5,000 or $10,000 for added financial security. The policy limit applies to each person injured in an accident and determines the maximum amount your insurance will pay per individual.

While you have the option to decline PIP coverage, you must do so in writing. Opting out of PIP could result in significant medical expenses for you and your family if you are involved in an accident. It’s important to consider the potential financial risks before deciding to forego this coverage.

Do I have to carry P.I.P?

In Texas, you have the choice to decline PIP coverage. Even though insurance companies are required to offer it, you are not obligated to accept it. However, if you decide to opt out, you must provide a written refusal. If you reject PIP coverage in Texas, you will still be protected by the other driver’s liability insurance if they are responsible for the accident. Unlike some states, Texas does not have a tort threshold, so even small claims are covered by the driver’s liability insurance. However, if you are at fault for the accident and do not have PIP coverage, your insurance will not assist in paying for any medical expenses for yourself or your passengers.

Should I carry PIP coverage just in case?

Ultimately, this is a decision only you can make. If you’re not sure, consult your insurance agent to find out the price of adding P.I.P. coverage. It might only increase your monthly premium by a few dollars. Many individuals who seek medical treatment following an accident can visit facilities that operate on a cash basis or claim they don’t need to pay upfront, but hospitals and medical offices typically ask for payment or proof of insurance coverage in advance.

Insurance companies include provisions in their policies to prevent duplicate payments. This means that they will not pay you twice for the same claim. For instance, if you are involved in an accident that is not your fault and you sustain injuries, but the driver who hit you does not have insurance, you may file both an uninsured claim and a medical payments claim. However, the insurance company will consider these as duplicate payments and will not provide coverage for both. In addition, if your case is valued at $25,000 and you have already received $2,500 in medical payments coverage, the insurance company will only pay you $22,500 for your claim instead of the full $25,000, as they have already compensated you for the medical expenses.

What if the insurance company refuses my P.I.P. claim?

Many times, people contact us after their PIP claim has been rejected. This is often the first indication for car accident victims that the process will not be as smooth as they had hoped and need the assistance of an experienced Dallas car wreck attorney. Victims frequently encounter two common tactics employed by insurance companies:

1. Delay the Claim: After submitting all the necessary documents, speaking to an adjuster multiple times, and completing the required paperwork, victims are left waiting. The insurance company fails to return their calls, respond to their emails, and they have yet to receive any compensation. Sometimes, victims receive a letter stating that their claim is being held up due to certain reasons, or they simply experience complete silence.

2. Deny the Claim: Some clients approach us after their PIP provider has outright denied their claim. The denial is often based on the alleged “lack of proof” of damages, despite the fact that the clients have provided all the relevant hospital bills and information regarding lost wages.

IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED IN A CAR, TRUCK, OR MOTORCYCLE WRECK, AND NEED ASSISTANCE FILING YOUR P.I.P. CLAIM, CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN BRUNSON TODAY.

Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.

We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.