What is PIP?
PIP is an optional coverage that you may add to your auto insurance policy. If you're in an auto accident, it can help pay for:
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Wage loss
- Loss of services
- Funeral expenses
PIP applies no matter who is at fault. But be aware there are some situations when it doesn't apply.
Do I need PIP?
- The choice to buy PIP is yours, but by law (leg.wa.gov) your insurance company must offer it to you.
- If you don't want PIP, you must reject it in writing. If you don’t sign a waiver rejecting PIP coverage, your auto insurer will add it to your policy and charge you for it.
Who's covered on PIP
- Person named on the policy
- Household residents related by blood, marriage or adoption
- Step or foster children
- Any non-family passengers and pedestrians involved in an accident
Note: To make a PIP claim after an accident with your insurance company, the vehicle you or your relative was driving at the time must be listed on the declaration page of your auto policy.
How much does PIP cover?
- Medical and hospital expenses: Up to $10,000 for reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses for each person injured in an auto accident is covered with PIP. This is available for up to three years from the date of the accident. Additional coverage may be added to provide up to a $35,000 benefit for medical and hospital costs.
- Funeral expenses: PIP includes up to $2,000 for each person who died due to the accident.
- Wage loss: PIP provides up to $200 per week ($10,000 total) for income replacement coverage. This is limited to one year after someone's been disabled for 14 consecutive days after the accident. Consumers may add additional coverage to provide income benefits of up to $35,000, paid at a maximum of $700 per week.
- Loss of services: PIP coverage pays up to $200 per week ($5,000 total) to pay non-family members for work you can’t do, such as household chores. Additional loss of services coverage can be added to increase the total benefit to $14,600.
Check with your insurance company or agent if you wish to increase your PIP coverage amounts.
What PIP costs
- The cost for PIP coverage varies with each company.
- Keep in mind: If you choose to buy PIP coverage, the insurance company may require you cover all of the vehicles listed on your policy.
- The more vehicles on your policy, the more you’ll pay.
What PIP doesn't cover
PIP doesn’t cover injuries caused by using:
- Farm equipment
- Recreational or off-road vehicles
- Mopeds
- Motorcycles (PIP coverage may be available on motorcycle policies and is typically expensive)
PIP also doesn’t cover:
- Intentional injuries caused by the insured person
- The insured person if they're injured in organized racing activities
- An insured person while they commit a felony
PIP doesn't cover services that your insurance company decides are not:
- Reasonable
- Necessary
- Related to the accident
- Incurred within three years of the auto accident