When Chicagoland-area car shoppers visit our Streamwood showroom, there are many questions they have when it comes to the car-buying process, finance, and insurance. One of the most popular questions is, "Do I need personal injury protection insurance?" The team at Elgin Toyota has your answer.
What is Personal Injury Protection?
Let's start with the basics. This auto insurance personal injury protection - also known as "no-fault insurance" - will cover your medical bills and lost wages in the event that you or your passengers are injured in a car accident. This type of coverage is optional in most states, but it's recommended to discuss this coverage with your insurance company.
This coverage can extend to instances when you are the passenger in another person's car, or if you are hit by a car while walking or on a bike. Keep in mind, this is not the same as bodily injury liability, which pays for the medical expenses of drivers and passengers in other cars in an accident where you were at fault. Personal injury protection insurance is specifically for car-related injuries that are often excluded from health insurance policies.
What Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cover?
Like we mentioned briefly above, personal injury protection will cover the necessary medical procedures as well as reasonable expenses that relate to recovering from an accident, like rehabilitation. Expenses covered will vary by state, but they may include:
- Operations
- Hospitalization
- Ongoing professional care
- Lost wages from not working
- Funeral expenses and accidental death benefits
- Some home care expenses - like childcare or house cleaning - if you can't do these things yourself
Do You Need Personal Injury Protection Auto Insurance?
Yes, auto insurance personal injury protection is needed if you live in one of the 16 states where this coverage is required. You would need to file a claim under that policy before using your medical insurance. With that said, if it's not required in your state, this insurance coverage offers many benefits that you will not get from your health insurance policy, like lost wages and funeral costs.
Learn More From the Team at Elgin Toyota
When you visit Elgin Toyota near Schaumburg for a new or used Toyota car, truck, SUV, we're here to answer any questions you have. We want your car-buying visit to be efficient, stress-free, and informative. Give us a call if you have any questions! We look forward to helping you get behind the wheel of your next Toyota vehicle.
