Can I Get Personal Injury Protection Insurance in California?
If you drive in California, you may wonder if you can purchase personal injury protection insurance to help pay for expenses after a crash. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is a type of coverage that can help pay for certain costs after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, it’s important to note that PIP insurance is not available in every state. In California, PIP insurance is not offered as it is a tort state, not a no-fault state.
However, there are alternative insurance coverages you can purchase to help you collect the money you need after a serious collision in California.
The Role of Fault in California
In no-fault states, PIP insurance helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages regardless of who is responsible for the accident. However, in California, the liability for damages rests with the at-fault party. This system necessitates different types of auto insurance coverages:
- Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage is essential for protecting yourself if you are deemed responsible for causing injuries to others in an accident.
- Property Damage Liability: Similarly, this coverage takes care of damages to someone else’s property if you’re at fault for the crash. This includes their car, fences, and mailboxes. It does not cover damage to your vehicle.
Minimum Insurance Coverage in California
In California, the law requires that all drivers carry a minimum level of auto insurance to ensure financial responsibility in the event of an accident. The minimum insurance requirements are as follows:
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
- $15,000 per person: This is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a single person injured in an accident you cause.
- $30,000 per accident: This is the maximum amount the insurer will pay for all injuries you cause in an accident, with the per-person limit applying.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
- $5,000 per accident: This coverage pays for damage you cause to another person’s property (such as their vehicle) in an accident.
It’s important to note that these are just the minimum requirements. Accidents can often result in costs exceeding these minimum limits. If that happens, you could be personally responsible for any amounts over what your insurance policy covers.
Alternatives to PIP in California
While PIP is not available, California residents have other options for coverage:
- Medical Payment Coverage (MedPay): This is similar to PIP in that it covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, irrespective of who caused the accident. However, it’s important to note that MedPay does not cover lost wages or other non-medical expenses.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage is increasingly important, given the number of drivers who either lack insurance or have insufficient coverage. It ensures that you are protected if involved in an accident with such drivers.
Benefits of MedPay
Medical Payments Coverage, commonly known as MedPay, is an optional auto insurance coverage in many states, including California. It offers several benefits, particularly in the context of auto accidents and the associated medical expenses. Understanding these benefits can help you decide whether to include MedPay in your auto insurance policy.
- Covers Immediate Medical Expenses: MedPay is designed to pay for immediate medical costs resulting from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. This can include hospital visits, surgery, x-rays, ambulance fees, and even funeral expenses in the case of fatal accidents.
- No-Fault Coverage: One of the most significant advantages of MedPay is that it provides coverage regardless of who caused the accident. This means you can cover your medical expenses without waiting for an insurance investigation to determine fault.
- Covers You and Your Passengers: MedPay extends coverage to the policyholder and passengers in the insured vehicle during the accident. This can be particularly beneficial if you frequently have passengers in your car.
- Supplemental Coverage: MedPay can serve as a supplement to your health insurance. It can help cover deductibles and co-pays that your health insurance might not cover, thus reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Covers Additional Expenses: Besides standard medical expenses, MedPay may also cover costs related to rehabilitation, professional nursing services, and prosthetic limbs, which are often necessary after serious accidents.
- Flexibility in Medical Providers: Unlike some health insurance plans, MedPay typically does not restrict you to a specific network of doctors or hospitals. You can seek treatment from the medical providers of your choice.
- Easy Claim Process: The claim process for MedPay is generally simpler and faster than fault-based claims. This expedited process can ensure timely medical treatment and reduce financial stress.
- Protection as a Pedestrian or Cyclist: MedPay often covers you not just as a driver or passenger but also if you’re injured as a pedestrian or cyclist in a traffic accident.
While MedPay offers several benefits, it’s important to consider its limitations. It does not cover non-medical expenses like lost wages, nor does it cover property damage. Additionally, coverage limits are typically lower than other auto insurance coverage types.
Contact Our San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you have questions after an accident or injury, we can help. Our San Bernardino car accident attorneys are here to answer your questions and provide sound legal guidance.
A dedicated and compassionate lawyer at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., will fight for you and your rights to compensation after a serious accident. Call our law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form to get started with a free consultation.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.