When comparing car insurance policy rates it is important to consider how much you should spend on personal injury protection coverage (PIP). Personal injury protection coverage is sometimes mistakenly confused with PLPD insurance. In truth, PIP is similar to MedPay in numerous ways. Personal injury protection coverage is a more comprehensive type of insurance than is MedPay. Coverage limits and premiums are also higher and personal injury protection coverage has a deductible.

Determining how much you should spend on personal injury protection coverage depends on your state requirements. Maryland and Kentucky both require insurance companies to offer PIP insurance to customers as an optional coverage plan. Twelve U.S. no-fault states allow for PIP-related claims to be filed and paid out regardless of whether you caused the accident and related injuries or not.

Three tort states, where no limits are imposed on the right to sue for medical injuries/expenses, require all drivers to carry PIP coverage. Thirteen other U.S. states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of personal injury protection coverage.

When no minimums are required it is important to understand what PIP insurance covers.

Personal injury protection insurance covers comprehensive medical and other expenses beyond some of those covered by MedPay policies. Funeral costs are potentially covered. 

Physical and/or occupational therapy service charges are potentially covered. Did your injuries cause you to lose your job or reduce the amount of time you are able to spend working? Personal injury protection coverage helps cover up to approximately eighty percent of your total lost wages. Approximately 60% of your lost wages are covered at a minimum. 

Childcare, lawn care, house cleaning and other similar service expenses are also covered by PIP insurance when your accident-related injuries prevent you from handling such tasks yourself. 

How much should you spend on personal injury protection insurance coverage? Consider how much time you spend on the road both with and without your family. Consider how comprehensive your health insurance is and how much it also covers your family. Purchase an amount of PIP coverage capable of bridging the gap between how many people you are protecting, how much your health insurance covers and what possible medical expenses you might experience if injured during a serious auto accident.