What You Need to Know About PIP Coverage in Washington State
At a minimum, liability auto insurance is mandatory in Washington State. However, did you also know that you benefit from carrying personal insurance protection (PIP) as supplemental coverage? As an extension of auto insurance, PIP covers medical expenses for you and anyone injured in an accident, including pedestrians and cyclists.
You sometimes hear this type of insurance referred to as “no fault” insurance, because a person is covered whether or not they were at fault for the accident. It’s also different than “bodily injury” coverage which pays for any injuries to another person, but not to you.
Is PIP Insurance Required in Washington State?
While there is no Washington PIP statute that requires you to have this type of coverage, insurance companies are required to offer it to customers and to obtain a written rejection from the client if they decline coverage. If you choose to opt into PIP coverage, Washington State statute defines minimums for PIP insurance that must be observed by carriers, including:
- Up to $10,000 for reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses for each person injured in an accident with a 3-year window to access care
- Wage replacement up to $200 per week with a $10,000 maximum
- Funeral expenses up $2,000 for each person
- Loss of services up to $200 per week ($5,000 maximum) to pay non-family persons for work you can’t accomplish, such as household chores or lawn care
To further define medical expenses, most insurance companies include ambulance services, medical and surgical care, hospital stays if required, chiropractic care, dental care, and medications.
What Types of Auto Accident Injuries Benefit from Chiropractic Care?
When the body sustains the force of an auto accident (even at relatively slow speeds), some injuries are outwardly obvious (and should be treated by the appropriate care provider), and some are not seen or even felt until later. With impact injuries, it’s a good idea to be evaluated by a chiropractor to find effective pain relief without medication or to prevent long-term pain. These types of symptoms may be signs of whiplash or other related auto accident injuries:
- Neck pain
- Sore back
- Shoulder pain
- Neck range of motion issues
- Low back pain
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sciatica
- Knee pain
- Loss of feeling
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Auto Accident Injuries?
With an initial evaluation, your chiropractor can assess the extent of your injuries and present a natural and effective treatment plan and prognosis. With an effective course of treatment that may include chiropractic manipulation, stretching and massage, nutritional counseling, and exercise, your body can heal and return to normal daily life.
At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness in Mill Creek, Washington, we are experienced at naturally treating auto accident injuries and are well versed in PIP auto insurance coverage requirements. Leave the complicated claims process to us.
If you have sustained an auto accident injury, trust the chiropractic professionals at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness…contact us today!