A Vancouver motorcycle accident lawyer is often asked whether motorcyclists are required to include personal injury protection (PIP) in their motorcycle insurance policy. Although your automobile insurance may have PIP coverage and allows you to access the benefit even if you are a bicyclists or pedestrian injured by a motor vehicle, the coverage typically excludes injuries to motorcyclists and their passenger.
Why Automobile Insurance PIP Coverage Excludes Motorcycles
PIP coverage is an optional coverage that pays for the driver or the passenger’s injuries, such as medical expenses, wage loss, loss of services, and funeral expenses, no matter who is at fault for the accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycles have an extremely high rate of accidents and the extent of injuries is generally more severe. Motorcycles have a high risk of injury because they offer less protection from impact than a motor vehicle. Thus, motorcycle injuries are often more extensive and deadly. The associated medical expenses are generally very high. Therefore, auto insurance typically excludes motorcycles from PIP coverage. You may seek to obtain PIP coverage through your motorcycle insurance to cover any motorcycle related injuries.
Should I Get PIP Coverage?
PIP acts as a secondary or supplemental insurance that can help cover your medical costs after an accident. Your health insurance policy is typically responsible for paying your medical bills. If you have high deductibles or hospital co-pays, or you exhaust your health insurance benefits, PIP can help cover your additional expenses up to your motorcycle policy’s limits. A Vancouver motorcycle accident lawyer cautions that if you do not have adequate health insurance or mistakenly believe your motorcycle insurance will cover your medical expenses like an automobile insurance would, you could find yourself seriously injured without medical coverage. PIP is not meant to replace your health insurance; it is meant to supplement it so you are not laden with high expenses that are not partially or fully covered by your health insurance policy.
Contact a Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have questions regarding PIP coverage associated with motorcycle insurance, contact an experienced Vancouver motorcycle accident lawyer with The Law Offices of Loren Scott Etengoff at (360) 693-2919.
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