Personal injury protection (PIP)
Auto coverage that may pay your medical and certain other costs after a crash, regardless of fault, where offered.
Plain definition
Personal injury protection (PIP) is no-fault-style auto coverage in states that require or offer it. It may pay medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services for you and passengers up to limits, sometimes without proving the other driver was at fault. Coordination with health insurance and subrogation rules vary by state.
Why it matters
In PIP states, your first medical bills after an accident may run through auto PIP before health insurance, affecting deductibles and provider networks you use.
Example
You and a passenger both need ER care after a crash. PIP on your policy may pay covered medical up to per-person limits before BI liability from the at-fault party is pursued.
Common misunderstanding
PIP is not nationwide and is not the same as bodily injury liability, which pays others—not your own economic losses in the same way.
Policy language always controls. This is educational content, not advice. See our disclaimer.