The state of Oregon has mandatory personal injury protection coverage, or PIP, system, which is included (by law) in all automobile insurance policies. But many local people aren’t entirely aware of the benefits and background of PIP, or have questions like “What is personal injury protection (PIP) coverage?” and “How does it affect my claim after an accident?”
This guide covers all you need to know about PIP insurance, including how it works, a personal injury protection coverage definition, and how it factors into insurance and accident claims.
What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage?
We’ll start with an answer to the question of “What is personal injury protection (PIP) coverage?” and a look at the meaning of basic personal injury protection coverage.
So, in simple terms, personal injury protection is a mandatory (everyone needs to have it) form of auto insurance coverage for Oregon drivers. It provides a minimum level of coverage for every person who may be injured in an auto accident, and that money can go towards paying off medical expenses, lost wages due to time off work, and so on.
How Does PIP Coverage Work in Oregon?
Now you’ve seen the personal injury protection coverage meaning, let’s dig a little deeper into how PIP insurance works. Since this is a mandatory policy, there’s no opting in or out of it, but you do have control over how much coverage you choose to take out. The minimum level is $15,000 per person injured, but you can go all the way up to $100,000, should you choose.
Note, also, that part of the personal injury protection coverage definition is that PIP is paid out regardless of who caused or is deemed to be at fault for an accident. In other words, it doesn’t matter how an accident happened – with PIP coverage, there’s always at least $15k paid out per injured person.
Next, let’s look at how that money can be used:
Medical Expenses
One of the many PIP benefits is that it helps to cover the various medical bills that are often ensured after auto accidents. A car crash or collision can lead to head injuries, broken bones, fractures, whiplash, and so much more besides, with costly bills to pay to treat those injuries and recover from them in the days and weeks after the incident.
PIP insurance covers the many medical expenses that follow in the two years after an accident, up to the policy limit (which is a minimum of $15,000, as touched on above). This money can therefore go towards the likes of surgery, X-rays, dental treatments, ambulance costs to get you to the hospital, and so on.
However, it’s important for claimants to keep records and receipts of their medical expenses in order to make successful and complete PIP claims. Oregon insurers may also demand that you undergo an inspection with a doctor of their choosing, and they may dispute claims if you fail to do this.
Lost Income
Another possible expense after an auto accident is lost income. While you’re recovering or struggling with the physical and mental injuries of an accident, you may be partly or entirely unable to work. Depending on what you do, you could be out of work for quite a while as you recover, leading to a lot of lost income.
Fortunately, PIP insurance for injuries also covers this. Oregon citizens who have PIP coverage are entitled to claim up to 70% of their lost wages due to injury after an auto accident, with a maximum set amount of $3,000 a month. Note, however, that there are some restrictions for a successful claim:
- You need to miss at least 14 consecutive days of work before you claim.
- You’ll need documentation to prove that you’re unable to work (like a doctor’s note).
- You’ll also need evidence of your income before the accident/injury.
Other Costs
According to Portland personal injury laws, PIP coverage in Oregon can also cover a bunch more related costs that occur after an auto accident, including:
- Funeral expenses if a victim of an accident passes away (up to a maximum of $5,000).
- Household replacements, if your injury prevents you from carrying out everyday tasks, like cleaning. You can claim up to $30 a day worth of services.
- Childcare: You can also claim up to $25 a day in childcare costs, if you’re hospitalized and have a child.
Eligibility for PIP Coverage
To be eligible for personal injury protection coverage in Oregon, you have to be:
- A licensed driver or a passenger in a vehicle that is insured with PIP
- A pedestrian or cyclist injured by a PIP-insured vehicle
- A relative of someone who is insured.
You also need to meet the requirements for a payout, like proving that you had to have medical treatment or lost income as a result of your injury. Given that this can be quite complicated, it’s often best to contact personal injury lawyers in Portland to help you.
The Process and Timing for Filing a PIP Claim in Oregon
To file a PIP claim, you’ll usually want to work with Portland car accident attorneys who can help you understand the process and comply with all necessary rules and regulations to get a payout. It works similarly to other kinds of insurance claims, in that you need to contact your insurer, tell them what happened, provide evidence, and then, all being well, receive your money.
Note, however, that there is a time limit to make a claim. Specifically, for most car accidents in Oregon, the time limit is two years. You’ll have to file your claim within the two years of your accident occurring to have a good chance of receiving your compensation. If you miss the deadline, it’s unlikely (though not impossible) for you to receive any PIP payout.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage Limits in Oregon
When it comes to PIP vs. health insurance, there are certain coverage limits to be aware of with PIP that don’t necessarily apply to usual health coverage policies. Specifically, it’s mandatory for anyone who takes out PIP insurance to have at least $15k per person injured in the accident, up to a maximum of $100k.
How to Access the Personal Injury Protection Benefits?
The process of how to claim your benefits via PIP coverage depends on the nature of the accident. If you were in your own car and have your own auto insurance policy, your first port-of-call is your insurer. But, if you were in another person’s car, you’ll have to claim via the owner’s policy. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist, you have to go first via your insurer, then a family member’s insurer, and then the insurer of the vehicle that hit you.
What to Do When the PIP Claim is Denied?
If your PIP claim is denied, you may not have supplied enough evidence or may have failed to comply with one or more of the PIP-related rules. The best thing to do in this situation is contact our personal injury experts who can help you figure out what to do next and how to resurrect your claim and receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Summing Up
Overall, PIP coverage is a beneficial form of insurance for drivers and pedestrians across Oregon, but it can be a little confusing. It’s important for citizens to know their rights and understand their obligations and entitlements in regard to PIP to avoid making mistakes or missing out on valuable financial support after an accident.
