What's the difference between bodily injury vs. personal injury protection?
Both personal injury protection and bodily injury liability coverage pay for medical bills and expenses resulting from an accident, but they cover different people. Bodily injury covers the other driver's medical bills (including their passengers) if you cause an accident. Personal injury protection covers medical bills and related expenses for you and your passengers after an accident regardless of fault. Personal injury protection is almost exclusively offered in no-fault insurance states.
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What does bodily injury liability insurance cover?
Bodily injury liability coverage (BI) pays for medical treatment and related expenses for people injured in an accident where you're at fault. States that require BI coverage have mandatory minimum coverage limits that every driver's auto policy must meet or exceed. For example, in Kentucky, a driver is required to have a minimum limit of $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
What does personal injury protection cover?
Personal injury protection (PIP) generally covers medical expenses, up to your policy's limits, for you and any passengers in your car if you're in an accident. Depending on the state, PIP may also cover additional expenses, such as:
Lost income if you miss work because of your injuries
Disability or rehab costs
Death benefits, which are paid to your family
Looking to find out how PIP coverage works in your state? Call a licensed rep at 1-866-749-7436 and they'll help you choose the right car insurance coverage level for you. Or get a car insurance quote online, and we'll show you all your options.
Should I have both bodily injury liability coverage and personal injury protection?
BI liability coverage is required in nearly every state, so you should instead consider how much car insurance coverage you need. Remember, BI covers injuries you cause to other people in an accident, so you don't have to risk your personal assets to compensate them.
Likewise, PIP coverage is required in most states where it's offered. But even if it's optional, it's worth considering — especially if your health insurance has a high deductible, which PIP could possibly cover in the event of an accident. PIP may also cover lost wages if you're injured (depending on the state you live in), which is typically not covered by health insurance.
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