Certainly! No-fault auto insurance is a system that operates differently from traditional auto insurance. Let me break it down for you:
- Definition:
- No-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection (PIP), covers medical expenses and loss of income resulting from a covered car accident.
- Unlike other types of auto insurance (such as comprehensive, collision, and liability), no-fault insurance doesn’t focus on determining who is at fault for the accident.
- Instead, it provides coverage regardless of fault.
- How It Works:
- In a no-fault system, each driver involved in an accident files a claim with their own insurance company.
- Your PIP coverage pays for:
- Medical bills: Hospital and medical expenses resulting from the accident.
- Income losses: Compensation for the inability to work due to injuries.
- Funeral expenses: Coverage for funeral costs.
- The coverage kicks in regardless of whether you caused the accident or not.
- Mandatory in Some States:
- No-fault insurance is mandatory in 18 states.
- Some states require that medical expenses be covered by medical payments insurance (med pay) rather than no-fault insurance.
- What It Doesn’t Cover:
- No-fault insurance does not cover:
- Car damage: Damage to your vehicle is covered by either your collision insurance or the other driver’s liability policy, not by no-fault insurance.
- Theft: Theft is covered by your comprehensive insurance policy.
- No-fault insurance does not cover:
Remember, no-fault insurance provides a safety net for medical expenses and income losses, regardless of fault. If you’re in a no-fault state, make sure you understand your coverage and its limitations