Nevada offers different types of insurance coverage for motor vehicles and drivers. It is important to understand the different coverage options to ensure you are adequately protected should you get into a car crash and are injured. One such option available in certain states is PIP coverage. It’s optional, like medical payment coverage, and it’s available if drivers want it. To help you decide if PIP coverage is right for you, we invite you to review the following information shared by our PIP lawyer.
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Is Nevada a No-Fault State?
Nevada is not a no-fault state. What this means is when you are involved in a car accident, each responsible party is assigned a percentage of the fault. In some cases, one driver could be 100% at fault, while in others, the percentage is divided based on how much each driver contributed toward the accident using comparative negligence. It is worth mentioning that if you are 49% or less at fault, you can still seek damages from the other party.
What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is a form of auto insurance coverage often referred to as “no-fault” insurance. It’s mandatory in 16 states and pays personal injury claims up to a threshold regardless of who was at fault in an auto accident. Each state sets its own PIP threshold.
A state might express its PIP threshold verbally or in a dollar amount for medical bills incurred by its insured person. A verbal threshold is expressed in the context of the severity of the injury, but courts are eroding verbal thresholds due to a history of abuse by some doctors and other healthcare providers.
How Does PIP Work?
Understanding how PIP works is important when you need to file a claim. Anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident files their own PIP claim with their insurer. Each driver’s insurance company then pays their insured person’s damages up to their state’s threshold amount. If bodily injury damages exceed the threshold amount, the injured person can then file suit directly against the driver who caused the accident.
What Does PIP cover?
How broad of protection that PIP might cover depends on the requirements of the state you live in. It almost always covers reasonable medical expenses in connection with a motor vehicle accident. If your injuries are so severe that you can’t take care of your children, you can get reimbursed for a babysitter or other household expenses.
It might cover lost earnings up to a limit, along with a limited amount of funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death. You must seek treatment for your injuries and submit your claim for compensation within a specified time from the date of your accident.
Factors That Affect PIP Coverage
Regardless of whether the driver lives in a no-fault or at-fault insurance state, it doesn’t mean an insured person’s premium won’t rise after an accident. What might determine your ultimate premium on PIP coverage are:
- Whether it’s mandatory in your state
- Your driving record and claims history
- Your age and gender
- Your marital status
- Where you live
The Benefits of PIP Coverage
One of the benefits of PIP coverage is it provides immediate medical expense payment after an accident, regardless of fault. So, while you are waiting to reach a settlement with the other party, your PIP coverage will take care of medical bills and other losses, such as lost income and rehabilitation services.
Another benefit of PIP coverage is it has certain non-medical benefits, like paying for in-home care or childcare expenses. It can also cover other people in your vehicle and their injuries. Most importantly, since PIP coverage is no-fault insurance, it will pay for your injuries no matter who is considered at fault.
Does Nevada require PIP insurance coverage?
No, Nevada does not require PIP insurance coverage since it is not available. Instead of PIP coverage, Nevada drivers have the option to get MedPay, which is optional medical payment coverage.
PIP vs. MedPay
PIP vs. MedPay coverage has some key differences. MedPay is limited in its coverage to medical payments and funeral expenses only, unlike PIP, which provides expanded coverage for other losses. Another key difference is you may be required to pay back any benefits received through MedPay payments should you receive a settlement from the responsible party.
However, it does provide immediate medical payment coverage without any deductibles or copays. So, instead of having to wait to reach a settlement agreement, you can take advantage of MedPay coverage directly following your car accident.
Should I Get MedPay Coverage Anyway?
MedPay coverage does not cost much to add to your car insurance policy. It is normally well worth the investment as it provides peace of mind if you get into a car accident and are injured. You do not have to worry if the other driver is underinsured or uninsured, and you do not need to wait for a settlement payment. Plus, your premiums will not go up if you use this benefit.
How Much Is Full MedPay Coverage per Week?
The cost for MedPay coverage per week amounts to less than 50 cents. The monthly rate is normally a few dollars.
Who Gets the MedPay Check?
The MedPay check is either sent to you, the person injured in your vehicle, or the medical provider.
How Much MedPay Am I Entitled To?
According to NRS 687B.145(3), all insurance providers offering motor vehicle coverage in Nevada must offer a minimum of $1,000 in MedPay coverage. Some insurance providers can offer higher coverage amounts up to $10,000. Determining the amount of MedPay you are entitled to would be based on the amount of coverage you purchase and have added to your auto policy.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
PIP or medical payment coverage will only help you up to a point. If you or any occupants of your vehicle have been injured in an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver, you’ll want uninsured motorist coverage, which is coupled with underinsured coverage.
Not only does that cover you, but it generally covers members of your household who are blood relatives, whether they’re in your insured vehicle or not. If you or any of them are injured as bicyclists or pedestrians, it’s likely that you’re all still covered, even if the accident is the fault of a hit-and-run driver.
Get Help Filing Your Car Accident Injury Claim Today
It is important you obtain all the compensation you are entitled to receive after a car accident. At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, we work on your behalf to pursue damages from the responsible party while you can rest and focus on healing.
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Adam S. Kutner
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
With more than 33 years of experience fighting for victims of personal injury in the Las Vegas Valley, attorney Adam S. Kutner knows his way around the Nevada court system and how to get clients their settlement promptly and trouble-free.