What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance and How Do I Use It?

After a car accident, the first bills to arrive are often the most stressful: the ambulance ride, the emergency room visit, the diagnostic scans. As you’re trying to recover, the last thing you need is to worry about how you’re going to pay for your immediate medical care, especially when the other driver’s insurance company is still weeks or months away from accepting liability.

This is where a crucial part of your own auto insurance policy steps in: Personal Injury Protection, more commonly known as PIP.

PIP is a type of “no-fault” medical coverage that is automatically included in most Washington State auto insurance policies unless you have specifically rejected it in writing. Think of it as your financial first responder. It’s designed to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages right away, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Understanding what PIP is and how to use it is one of the most important things you can do to protect your financial stability after a crash.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• It’s “No-Fault” Coverage: PIP pays for your initial medical bills and lost wages quickly, regardless of who caused the accident.
  
   
• It’s Part of Your Own Policy: You use your own PIP coverage first, even if the other driver was 100% at fault.
• What It Covers: PIP typically covers medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and essential services (like household help) if you are injured.
  
   
• Using It is Your Right: Using your PIP coverage does not count as an at-fault claim and generally should not raise your insurance rates.
• How to Use It: To start a PIP claim, simply call your own insurance company to report the accident and tell them you were injured and need to open a PIP claim.

What Exactly Does PIP Cover?

In Washington State, PIP coverage is surprisingly broad. While the exact limits will depend on your specific policy, state law requires that it cover at least the following:

1. Medical and Hospital Bills: This is the primary benefit. It covers “all reasonable and necessary” medical expenses for your treatment, up to your policy limit (the state minimum is $10,000, but you may have purchased more). This includes:
   • Ambulance and ER visits
     
      
   • Hospital stays and surgeries
     
      
   • Doctor’s appointments and diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs)
     
      
   • Physical therapy and chiropractic care
     
      
   • Prescription medications
2. Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, PIP provides a wage loss benefit. The state minimum covers up to $200 per week ($10,000 total), beginning 14 days after the disability starts.
   
    
3. Loss of Services: If your injuries prevent you from performing essential household duties (like childcare, cleaning, or yard work), PIP can provide a benefit to hire help.
4. Funeral Expenses: In the tragic event of a fatality, PIP provides a funeral expense benefit.
   
    

The Most Important Question: Should I Use PIP if the Other Driver Was At Fault?

YES. 100% YES. This is a major point of confusion for accident victims. Many people think, “The other driver hit me, so their insurance should pay for everything!” While that is ultimately true, the other driver’s insurance company can take months to investigate a claim and accept liability before they pay a single dollar.

Your medical providers won’t wait that long. By using your own PIP coverage immediately, you ensure that your medical bills are paid promptly, you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket, and your accounts don’t go to collections.

Think of it this way: your PIP coverage is a bridge. It pays for everything you need right now. Later, once the other driver’s fault is established, your insurance company will get reimbursed from their insurance company through a process called subrogation. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it is precisely why you pay for this coverage.

How to Open and Use Your PIP Claim: A Simple Guide

1. Call Your Insurance Company: When you call your own insurer to report the accident, tell them you have been injured and you need to open a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim.
2. Get Your Claim Number: You will be assigned a PIP claim number and an adjuster who will handle this part of your claim.
3. Provide the PIP Info to Your Doctors: When you visit a hospital or doctor for your accident-related injuries, give them your auto insurance information and your PIP claim number. They will then bill your auto insurer directly.
4. Submit Your Paperwork: Your PIP adjuster will send you an “Application for Benefits” form. You must fill this out, sign it, and return it promptly to activate your coverage.
   
    

PIP is a powerful benefit that provides an immediate financial safety net, allowing you to focus on your recovery without the stress of unpaid bills.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in the Tacoma area and have questions about using your PIP benefits or dealing with your insurance company, getting professional guidance can be invaluable. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma to find and compare trusted local attorneys who can help you manage your PIP claim and ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to.

References

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – Personal Injury Protection (PIP): The official consumer guide from the OIC, explaining what PIP is, what it covers, and that it is required to be offered by insurers in Washington. https://www.insurance.wa.gov/personal-injury-protection-pip-and-how-it-works-your-auto-insurance-policy
• Revised Code of Washington (RCW 48.22.085 – 48.22.100): The official state laws that define Personal Injury Protection, outline the minimum required coverages, and govern how it is offered. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.22.095