Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Massachusetts Personal Injury Protection Benefits for Drivers
Massachusetts has one of the most complicated insurance systems in the United States.
For example, Massachusetts insurance law requires the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to be included in every motor-vehicle liability or auto-insurance policy.
What does Personal Injury Protection Coverage Mean?
Every auto-insurance policy in Massachusetts must provide PIP benefits, but drivers have the choice to reduce or eliminate their PIP coverage by purchasing a deductible. This will allow drivers to also lower their auto insurance monthly premiums.
However, before you reduce or eliminate your PIP benefits, it is worth noting that under this coverage, your insurance company will pay the reasonable medical expenses (up to $2,000) of any vehicle occupant in your car who has suffered injury in an car accident in Massachusetts regardless who was at fault.
You or your household members do not need to be in a car for this coverage to apply. For example, it can be applied if you are a pedestrian involved in an auto accident.
The PIP insurance also covers a portion of your lost earnings, and is available in Massachusetts for a maximum amount of $8,000. The PIP coverage will pay up $8,000 if the driver does not have health insurance or the driver's health insurance company denies coverage. The expenses reimbursed with PIP funds must be incurred within 2 years of the accident.
PIP coverage does not apply if you are injured on a motorcycle.
Why Should You Have PIP Insurance?
The Personal Injury Protection plan is valuable for drivers because it reimburses expenses that otherwise may not be covered by health insurance (some of which include, cosmetic and dental services, co-payments and deductibles). This coverage also provides 75% of the driver’s lost wages or lost earning power if he or she is unemployed. Additionally, PIP covers the cost of the necessary services that the driver would have performed without pay if it wasn't for the injury – such as, cleaning their home.
If you have any questions about PIP insurance or have been injured in an auto accident in Massachusetts, contact the experienced Boston personal injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group, LLC.
Call for a Free Consultation.
To find out more about the different types of auto insurance in Massachusetts, get a free copy of attorney Thomas M. Kiley's Massachusetts auto accidents book.
