Summary: Personal injury protection is a type of insurance coverage that covers medical expenses related to car accident injuries. PIP will usually cover chiropractic adjustments, as well as other types of medical treatment. Chiropractic visits can be billed straight to your insurance if you have PIP. Chiropractic care can help improve symptoms after being hurt in a car accident.
Intro: Most Washington drivers with insurance have PIP coverage, which can help pay for accident injury treatment. However, navigating insurance after going through something so traumatizing can be confusing and difficult. You may not know how to use your PIP coverage or what it will cover. Premier Chiropractic can help you figure out how to pay for car accident chiropractic care with your PIP.
What is PIP insurance?
PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection, and is a type of no-fault auto insurance. This means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident you were injured in, you can still pay your medical bills. PIP can help cover expenses resulting from a car accident, such as medical bills, hospital stays, and lost wages. It pays out a set amount of compensation and only covers expenses deemed “reasonable and necessary.”
How PIP Works in Washington, Specifically
- In Washington, auto insurance policies are actually required to include PIP. If the policyholder opts out of having PIP coverage in writing, then it isn’t required. To make sure you have an active PIP, you can call your insurance company or check your policy declarations page.
- The insurance will pay the amount upfront, without you having to wait for fault to be determined. This is so that you can start receiving medical treatment as soon as possible.
- The minimum amount PIP must cover is $10,000 per person, although the specific policy may cover more and have higher limits.
- In Washington, you are given up to three years from the time of your car accident to use your PIP benefits. It’s important to use it while you still can. Getting treatment as soon as possible after an accident creates clear medical documentation and can help you if you need to file a personal injury claim later on.
PIP insurance chiropractic treatment
In most cases, Personal Injury Protection coverage will pay for chiropractic treatment after an auto accident. If your injuries are related to the crash, PIP may help cover care such as chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, spinal decompression, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays.
Your chiropractic appointments may be billed directly to your insurance company, which can help reduce out-of-pocket concerns while you receive treatment. In Washington, you have a choice of providers, so you can see a chiropractor and have PIP cover eligible care. You do not need a referral from another doctor to have chiropractic treatment covered, but it is important to choose a chiropractor with experience treating car accident injuries.
Premier Chiropractic has experience working with insurance companies to help patients get the care they need after a crash. Chiropractic adjustments may help treat common car accident injuries such as whiplash, chronic neck pain, and back pain. Care may also help reduce pain, stiffness, inflammation, headaches, and muscle tension while supporting the healing process.
Massage therapy may also help relieve soft-tissue pain and stiffness after an accident. It can be helpful for reducing muscle tension and supporting recovery after the physical and emotional stress of a car accident.
If you were involved in a car accident, it’s important to see a medical professional to check for injuries. With PIP coverage, your insurance will pay for your treatment directly, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket. Set up an appointment with Premier Chiropractic to receive prompt treatment for your car accident injuries. Our effective, gentle methods will help you feel better after what you suffered through.
PIP Coverage in Washington State: Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my PIP runs out and doesn’t cover all of my expenses?
If you were seriously injured in an accident, it may be the case that PIP doesn’t pay for all of your damages. In that situation, you will have to hire a personal injury attorney and file a claim to receive full compensation.
Does PIP just cover me as the policyholder?
Personal Injury Protection also can cover family members that are living with you, including your children and spouse. PIP can also cover injuries to passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident; however, the car involved in the accident must be on your policy.
What does PIP not cover?
Personal injury protection usually has specific exclusions, such as accidents involving farm equipment, ATVs, motorcycles, and RVs. PIP won’t cover injuries from illegal activity, such as car races, or non-essential treatment services.
How much will personal injury protection cover?
The financial amount that PIP will cover depends on the specifics of your policy. Usually, it covers up to $10,000 for medical expenses, up to $200 a week for lost wages, up to $200 a week for childcare, and up to $2,000 for funeral costs if someone died in the accident.
How do I file a PIP claim for chiropractic treatment?
To file a personal injury protection claim to pay for chiropractic care, the first step is to report the accident to your insurance company. Receive medical treatment for your injuries, including chiropractic appointments, and then submit all documentation to the insurer.