Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Guide

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage pays for your own injuries after a car accident, no matter who is at fault. PIP can help cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and even funeral expenses after an accident. PIP requirements vary by state, and whether or not PIP is required generally depends on whether the state follows no-fault or at-fault auto insurance rules.

The rules in Oregon are a little different from many other states. PIP coverage is required for all drivers in Oregon, even though the state follows at-fault insurance rules. Dive into all the details below to learn what PIP is, what it covers, and some of its limitations.

What Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Cover?

PIP insurance covers many of the financial losses that you may suffer after a motor vehicle accident, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Travel expenses for medical treatments
• Funeral expenses
• Other expenses resulting from your injuries

Specific coverage details vary slightly by state. For instance, in some states, PIP insurance only covers 80% of your reasonable and necessary medical treatments. However, 100% of medical treatments are covered in Oregon. 

Below are more details about what PIP covers in Oregon.

Medical Expenses

If you require medical treatment for injuries after an accident, your PIP coverage will pay for those expenses as long as they are reasonable and necessary. This can include items such as X-rays, emergency treatment, doctor visits, and more. 

Additionally, PIP will pay for your mileage to and from your medical appointments. Keep in mind that you must keep detailed records of your travel if you plan to include those expenses as part of your claim.

One thing to note is that insurers in Oregon can make you visit a doctor that they choose. If that doctor’s opinion of your treatment varies from the doctor you initially saw, the insurer could deny your claim.

Lost Wages

Many accident victims miss time from work due to their injuries, especially in cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries. PIP coverage will help you recoup some of your lost wages during this time. In Oregon, PIP will cover 70% of your lost wages up to a maximum amount of $3,000 per month.

However, keep in mind that these benefits will not kick in until you have missed 14 consecutive days of work. Make sure you have detailed medical notes from your doctor that provide evidence of your inability to work. You will also need to verify your income as part of the claims process to ensure your lost wages are calculated properly.

Funeral Expenses

In the unfortunate event of a fatality after an accident, PIP will provide up to $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses for the family of the deceased. This benefit may be in addition to covering medical expenses related to any final medical treatments the person received.

Other Injury-Related Expenses

PIP also provides coverage for expenses that many people might not even consider. For instance, if your injuries prevent you from doing certain activities of daily living, like yard work or house cleaning, PIP may cover some of the cost associated with hiring someone to do that work. Additionally, PIP can cover child care in the event you have a minor child and are hospitalized for more than 24 hours.

What Are the PIP Requirements in Oregon?

In Oregon, all drivers must carry a minimum of $15,000 in PIP coverage. Remember that this is just the minimum requirement. You may choose to purchase additional coverage from your insurance company. In some cases, up to $100,000 of coverage may be available to purchase. Simply check with your insurance company to learn more about your options for increasing coverage.

Most PIP coverage has no deductible. However, some policies carry a deductible to reduce the cost of the monthly premiums. The maximum deductible allowed in Oregon is $250, so that is not likely to decrease your premiums much.

What Does PIP Not Cover?

The biggest limit to PIP coverage is in the form of non-economic damages. PIP does not cover a victim’s pain and suffering after a car accident. 

For example, PIP does not cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Depression
• Loss of consortium
• Diminished quality of life
• PTSD

Non-economic damages can represent a large part of a victim’s damages after an accident. If someone else was responsible for causing the accident, you may have to file a claim with their insurance or even sue that driver to recover your non-economic damages.

Contact Our Portland Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you have been hurt in a car accident, getting help from an experienced lawyer can be crucial to getting all the compensation you are owed. Your time to file a claim after an accident, whether through your own PIP coverage or suing another driver, is limited. Waiting too long can cause you to lose all your rights to compensation.

Contact the team at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers as soon after your accident as possible. We have recovered millions of dollars for other injury victims, and we are ready to help you through your claim. Let us answer all your questions and help you get compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Portland personal injury attorney at (503) 773-3333.