How Do I Set Up PIP
You set up PIP by asking your insurer to include it on your policy, either when you first buy coverage or at your next renewal.
You add PIP through your insurer, not through a separate application
PIP, or personal injury protection, is an option you add to your car insurance policy. You don't set it up on your own or through a government office. You ask your insurer to include it, and it becomes part of your policy along with your liability and collision coverage.
In some states, insurers are required to offer it and you have to decline it in writing if you don't want it. In others, it's optional and you have to ask for it directly. Which applies to you depends on where you live, so the first call to make is to your own insurer or agent, asking whether PIP is already on your policy or needs to be added.
Your state decides whether PIP is required, optional, or not sold at all
PIP rules come from state law, not from any one insurer. Some states require it on every policy. Some make insurers offer it while leaving the choice to the driver. Others don't offer it at all and rely on a different system for medical costs after an accident.
Because of this, the right first step is to check your state's requirement rather than assume. Your insurer can tell you whether PIP is mandatory where you live, optional, or unavailable, and what the minimum amount is if it's required.
If you've moved states recently, this is worth checking even if your old policy had PIP. A policy written in one state doesn't carry over the same PIP rule to another.
If your state doesn't offer PIP, ask your insurer what does cover medical costs after an accident, since you may still have options like medical payments coverage.
What you already have can change what you need to add
Before adding PIP, it helps to know what your health insurance already covers in a car accident. Some health plans pay for accident-related injuries the same way they pay for any other medical claim. Others exclude injuries from car accidents, expecting PIP or medical payments coverage to handle that instead.
If you're on Medicare, ask your insurer how PIP and Medicare work together in your state, since the order in which they pay claims isn't the same everywhere.
It's also worth asking whether your state lets you choose different PIP levels, since some states offer a lower amount paired with a higher deductible. Your insurer can walk you through what each level would mean for your premium.
If you're unsure whether you're already covered, ask your insurer to send you a copy of your current declarations page. It will show whether PIP is listed and at what amount.
Questions people ask about this
Can I add PIP in the middle of my policy term?
Usually yes. Most insurers let you change your coverage mid-term rather than waiting for renewal. Call your insurer and ask whether the change takes effect immediately or at your next billing cycle, since that can vary by insurer.
Do I need PIP if I already have health insurance?
It depends on what your health plan covers and what your state requires. Some states mandate PIP regardless of other coverage you carry. Ask your insurer whether PIP is required where you live, and ask your health insurer whether car accident injuries are covered under your plan.
Will adding PIP raise my premium?
Adding any coverage typically increases your premium, since you're asking the insurer to cover more. Ask your insurer for a quote with and without PIP so you can see the difference for your own policy rather than guessing.
Can I remove PIP later if I decide I don't want it?
In states where PIP is optional, you can usually ask your insurer to remove it at renewal or mid-term. In states where it's required, you likely can't drop it below the state minimum. Ask your insurer which situation applies to you.
Does PIP cover passengers in my car, not just me?
In most states, PIP covers passengers in your vehicle along with you, but the details depend on your policy and your state's rules. Ask your insurer directly whether your passengers are covered and under what circumstances.
If you're deciding whether to add PIP, it helps to see what it would cost on your own policy before you call your insurer.
Pull out your current declarations page and check whether PIP is already listed, along with the amount. Call your insurer and ask two things: whether PIP is required in your state, and what it would cost to add or increase it on your policy. If you have health insurance, ask your health insurer separately whether car accident injuries are covered, since that affects how much PIP you actually need. Write down the answers so you can compare them against a quote from another insurer if you're shopping around. If you're helping a parent with this, make the call together so you both hear the same answer from the insurer.
