If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, one of the first things you’ll need to deal with is paying for medical treatment. In most cases, those initial medical bills are covered by your own auto insurance policy through something called Personal Injury Protection (also referred to as PIP or medical benefits coverage.)
This article explains what PIP covers in Pennsylvania, how it works, and what to expect after a crash.
What Is PIP Coverage in PA?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP), or medical benefits coverage, is a no-fault insurance benefit. That means it pays for your medical expenses after an accident regardless of who was at fault. Pennsylvania law requires every auto insurance policy to include a minimum of $5,000 in medical benefits coverage.
If you’re injured in a crash, you must first turn to your own PIP coverage to pay for your medical treatment before seeking payment from another driver’s insurance.
What Does PIP Cover?
PIP in Pennsylvania pays for reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to injuries from a motor vehicle accident. This includes:
- Emergency medical services, including ambulance and ER visits
- Hospital care and surgical procedures
- Follow-up care with physicians and specialists
- Diagnostic testing (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Physical therapy and chiropractic treatment
- Prescription medication
- Durable medical equipment (e.g., crutches, braces, wheelchairs)
Pennsylvania PIP does not cover all damages. Property damage, pain and suffering, and lost wages are not covered under standard PIP coverage, however, lost wages may be available if you elected optional income loss benefits when purchasing your auto insurance policy.
Who Is Covered Under a PIP Policy?
Your PIP coverage typically applies to:
- You, as the named insured
- Your spouse and relatives who live in your household
- Passengers in your insured vehicle
- Pedestrians you strike with your vehicle (in most cases)
If you are injured as a pedestrian or passenger in someone else’s vehicle, your own PIP coverage (or a household member’s) may still apply first under Pennsylvania’s priority-of-coverage rules.
What Happens When PIP Is Exhausted?
Once your PIP limit is reached, any further medical bills must be paid out-of-pocket, through health insurance, or recovered from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage.
If you have health insurance, your insurer may step in to cover additional treatment. If another driver caused the crash, you may pursue a third-party claim or lawsuit for remaining medical costs and other damages.
Note: While $5,000 is the minimum required, many drivers opt for higher PIP limits for added protection.
What About Limited Tort vs. Full Tort?
In Pennsylvania, you must choose between limited tort and full tort when purchasing auto insurance. However, both options still require you to use your PIP coverage first for medical treatment. To learn more about how your choice of coverage affects your ability to recover damages after a car accident, read our blog What is Full Tort vs. Limited Tort insurance coverage in Pennsylvania?
When PIP Isn’t Enough: What to Do Next
PIP coverage in Pennsylvania is designed to ensure that injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians receive timely medical care — without waiting for a liability decision. But the $5,000 minimum often falls short for more serious injuries, and navigating your options beyond PIP can be complex.
If you have questions about PIP coverage in PA or need help pursuing additional compensation after an accident, a personal injury attorney who understands Pennsylvania’s insurance laws and no-fault system can help you. Contact Aversa & Linn today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
