Personal Injury Protection — Illinois
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and lost wages after a crash, regardless of who caused it.
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What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Personal Injury Protection covers medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes funeral costs for you and your passengers after a crash, without requiring you to prove who was at fault. It pays out immediately after the accident, up to your policy limit, regardless of whether you caused the collision or the other driver did. PIP functions as first-party coverage, meaning it protects you directly rather than covering damage you cause to others.
Who Needs Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
PIP makes sense if your health insurance excludes auto accidents, has high deductibles, or doesn't cover lost wages. It's particularly valuable for self-employed drivers who can't afford unpaid recovery time, households with passengers who lack health coverage, and drivers in high-traffic areas where crash risk is elevated.
Compare your health insurance deductible to typical PIP limits. Factor in lost-wage coverage if your employer doesn't offer paid sick leave.
How Much Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cost?
- Health insurance coverage — carriers may offer lower PIP rates if you already have comprehensive health insurance that covers accident injuries.
- Household size — policies covering multiple drivers or passengers cost more because PIP extends to all insured individuals.
- Zip code medical costs — areas with higher average emergency room and hospital charges see higher PIP premiums.
- Claims history — prior PIP claims can raise renewal rates, though less severely than at-fault liability claims.
