What is PIP?

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is included by law in all Oregon private automobile insurance policies.  Personal Injury Protection provides payment for medical bills, lost wages and certain household expenses.  By law, PIP must cover at least $15,000.00 for all reasonable and necessary medical bills as they relate to the accident occurring within one year from the date of the accident.  Your PIP policy may provide higher limits and longer time periods.

This can include doctor bills, dental bills, chiropractor bills, emergency room bills, ambulance bills, physical therapy bills and prescriptions. PIP will not pay for mileage to and from medical appointments.

If you are driving or riding in your own car then your insurance company pays your Personal Injury Protection benefits.  If you are driving or riding in someone else’s car, then usually their policy will pay the PIP benefits.  Sometimes, PIP benefits are available even if you are not in a car.  For instance, if you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, you may still have Personal Injury Protection benefits under your own or the other party’s car insurance.

PIP benefits

Personal Injury Protection benefits are available to you whether or not the accident was your fault. There is no penalty to you for making a PIP claim under your own policy. However, your insurance company is entitled to be reimbursed by the responsible person’s insurance company.

The law does not require motorcycle policies to carry PIP coverage and most motorcycle policies do not include this coverage.  However, you can add PIP coverage to your motorcycle coverage.

Read about PIP for Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

Click Here If you’d like to download a free brochure on PIP.