October 3, 2009

Personal Injury Protection: Do I Need It?

Having adequate auto insurance is important for any driver. Depending on what state you live in, Personal Injury Protection, also known as PIP, may be mandatory for drivers. If you are involved in an automobile accident, Personal Injury Protection insurance will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly other costs that may arise as a result of your car accident. Personal Injury Protection will also pay a death benefit on your behalf should a death result from your automobile accident. You will need Personal Injury Protection coverage if you are a driver in the following states: Arkansas, Florida, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Utah.

If PIP coverage is not a mandatory coverage to have in your state, purchasing it should still be highly considered. Not only will it cover you in the event of a car accident, it will cover your passengers and any pedestrians that may have been injured in the accident as well. PIP coverage is considered a no-fault coverage, which means it will cover you and any others that were injured -whether the accident was your fault or not.

Auto insurance rates are very competitive these days and it is important to get the necessary coverage you need for the state you live in. A car insurance rate can vary in price depending on what coverage is needed and what additional options are added. Most people who finance or lease their cars will need to get full coverage insurance to cover the automobile in case of an accident or loss. Auto insurance for a leased vehicle will usually need to carry more coverage than a car that is being financed or one that is paid off in full. Most people who are not leasing or financing a car usually get the bare minimum auto insurance required by their state. While this may save drivers a few dollars on their car insurance rate, it could possibly cost them more out of pocket should they get involved in a bad accident that results in a totaled car, serious injuries, and possibly death.

If price is a concern for your auto insurance needs, you may want to shop car insurance rates around through several different car insurance companies. Auto insurance these days is very easy to get and shopping for a new policy or comparing car insurance rates is as easy as a click of a mouse. Whatever you do, make sure you get the Personal Injury Protection coverage and any other necessary coverage that is required in your state. Nobody should drive their car around without it being properly insured.