Monthly Cost of PIP
Generally, when getting auto insurance, clients ask their agents to get them the lowest price possible. Usually, this means having minimum coverage.
As part of the minimum coverage required in Utah, consumers are eligible for $1,500 per person in funeral expenses, a $3000 death benefit, and disability services of the lesser of $250 a week or 85 percent of lost income as well as up to $20 per day for services.
| Coverage | $3,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| Monthly Cost with Income Loss | $14.83 | $18.98 | $29.21 | $41.67 | $75.77 |
| Monthly Cost w/o Income Loss | $13.34 | $17.08 | $26.29 | $37.50 | $68.19 |
In Utah you can purchase PIP insurance without income loss protection, reducing your monthly premiums. But this option is only available if you haven’t been employed for at least 31 days prior to purchasing coverage and you remain unemployed for at least 180 days after the policy is in place. This restriction also applies to your spouse.
Personal Injury Protection and Your Claim
Your no-fault insurance will cover a specific set of damages laid out in your insurance policy. The amount will depend on how much PIP you purchased and your insurance company.
PIP will cover your medical bills that incur as a result of your auto accident injuries. Once you’ve exhausted your PIP coverage, your health insurance will start covering expenses.
If your injuries and damages exceed a certain threshold, you will have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party for the damages your insurance company won’t cover. In other words, the medical expenses which your health covered may be compensated by an insurance settlement through the at-fault party.
Personal Injury Protection Benefits Include:
Utah Personal Injury Protection insurance covers all passengers in a vehicle (including the driver), pedestrians and bicyclists regardless of fault. The minimum PIP plan includes $3,000 of medical expenses per person. Up to the limits of the policy, the following services may be covered:
- Medical Services
- Surgical Services
- X-rays
- Dental Services
- Rehabilitation
- Prosthetic Devices
- Ambulance Services
- Hospital Services
- Nursing Services
You are at liberty to seek compensation through a personal injury case if the other driver is at fault and if you meet Utah state’s tort threshold. To surpass the threshold, you must meet one of the following criteria: the death of a passenger, loss of limb, permanent disability or impairment, permanent disfigurement, or your medical expenses exceed $3,000. You may sue for special damages like lost income and medical expenses if the at-fault party wasn’t insured, or your necessary expenses total more than $3,000.
Additionally, if you qualify for loss of gross income, you can be reimbursed the lesser of $250 per week or 85% of income. If you become incapable of working you will qualify for these benefits for the maximum of 52 consecutive weeks after the loss.
Disability Benefits
To qualify for disability benefits, your disability must continue for more than two consecutive weeks after the date of injury. Along with disability benefits, you may qualify for a special damage allowance (not to exceed $20 per day) for a maximum of 365 days. This allowance is to be used for services actually rendered or expenses incurred for services that the injured person would have performed for their household if not for the injury. These services may include housekeeping, mowing the lawn, and other such activities.
Other PIP benefits include the funeral, burial, or cremation benefits. These benefits are limited to a total of $1,500 per person. On account of the death of a person, $3,000 may be compensated to the deceased’s heirs.
Minimum Car Insurance Coverage
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident+
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident+
- Personal Injury Protection: $3,000 per accident#
- Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident*
- Underinsured Motorist: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident*
+Liability coverage through each policy has a minimum requirement based on your state of residence. You can choose your level of coverage. However, with lower coverage, you have lower premiums but this provides less protection in the case of a severe accident. Higher coverage will give you much greater financial protection but may not fit within your budget.
*Utah law does not require you to purchase uninsured motorists or underinsured motorist coverage. However, if you do purchase such coverage, Utah law requires that you buy at least $25,000 per person or $65,000 per accident.
All Utah drivers must carry proof of auto insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer upon request.
#Personal Injury Protection comes with every auto insurance policy in Utah regardless of coverages. As long as you have auto insurance, PIP is available to you.
Overall with insurance policies, your premium can be affected by the type of vehicle you are driving, the area you live in, your driving record, your age, and marital status, as well as other factors.
Collision
Collision insurance is an optional coverage that pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your car after an accident. When you’re involved in an accident, you’ll need to pay a deductible which you’ll decide upon with your adjuster beforehand. Collision coverage includes anything from hitting another vehicle, to hitting an object, like a tree, guardrail, or mailbox. There aren’t any states that require you to have collision coverage. However, you must own your car in order for coverage to be optional. Otherwise, lenders require collision coverage in loaned and leased vehicles.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive covers accidents that don’t involve other vehicles or objects. Damages covered include damage from theft, animal collisions, vandalism, fires, explosions, hail, natural disasters, certain falling objects, as well as floods.
Property Damage Liability
This coverage helps pay for any property damage done unto someone else’s property.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily Injury Liability helps cover costs for injuries to your passengers, the driver, and passengers of the other vehicle as well as pedestrians. This coverage may also help pay for legal fees if your case goes to litigation. Overall, bodily injury coverage may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, legal fees, and funeral costs.
Medical Payments
Medical payments (Med Pay) coverage helps cover injuries sustained in an auto accident, regardless of fault. Med Pay offers protection in the event that you, your relative or your passengers are injured in a motor vehicle accident. Situations covered by med pay include:
- Funeral expenses resulting from an accident
- Any passengers injured while you or your family member is operating the vehicle
- You or your family members are injured as pedestrians or while riding your bikes
- You’re injured as a passenger while in someone else’s car
Were you or someone you know involved in a recent auto accident? Call Auto Accident Care Network now at 801-683-1948 to be connected with a live care advocate. Our team at AACN can connect you to trusted attorneys and doctors to schedule a free legal consultation, a free thirty-minute massage, and a no-cost medical exam!
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