# Personal injury protection (PIP)

> PIP is coverage on your own auto policy that pays medical bills and some lost income after a crash, whoever caused it. See how it works by state.

Canonical page: https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/personal-injury-protection/  
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team  
General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

## Quick answer

Personal injury protection, or PIP, is coverage under your own auto policy that pays medical bills and some lost income after a crash, whoever caused it. It is the core of no-fault insurance.

## In a car accident claim

PIP is required in the 12 no-fault states, where it pays first and lawsuits for pain and suffering are limited unless an injury passes a serious injury threshold. Some fault states include it too: Texas policies carry $2,500 of PIP unless the buyer rejects it in writing.

What PIP pays and the rules for claiming it differ by state:

| State | Minimum PIP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $10,000 | Pays 80% of reasonable medical costs and 60% of lost income; initial care within 14 days |
| New York | $50,000 | Written notice to the insurer within 30 days of the crash |
| Texas | $2,500 | Can be rejected in writing |

Because PIP is a first party claim on your own policy, you deal with your own insurer. It can cover you as a pedestrian or cyclist too. Under Florida law it covers people hit by a motor vehicle while not riding in a self-propelled vehicle, if the vehicle physically struck them. Our guides to [who pays your medical bills](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/money/who-pays-medical-bills/) and [lost wages](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/money/lost-wages/) explain how PIP fits with other coverage.

## Example

> **Example:** A Florida driver is rear-ended and gets checked at an urgent care clinic the next day. Their own PIP pays part of the medical bills and lost income up to the policy limit, whatever the other driver's fault. Their claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering depends on whether the injury meets Florida's threshold.

## Related terms

- [Medical payments coverage](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/medical-payments-coverage/)
- [Serious injury threshold](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/serious-injury-threshold/)
- [First-party claim](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/first-party-claim/)

## FAQ

### Is PIP the same as MedPay?

No. Both pay regardless of fault, but PIP usually also pays part of lost income and some other costs, and it is required in no-fault states. MedPay generally covers medical bills only.

### Does PIP pay if I was not at fault?

Yes. PIP pays whoever caused the crash. If someone else was at fault, you may also have a claim against them for losses PIP does not cover, subject to your state's rules.

## Sources

- [Insurance Information Institute, Background on: No-fault auto insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-no-fault-auto-insurance) — no-fault states and lawsuit thresholds
- [Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes § 627.736](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.736) — Florida PIP benefits
- [New York State Department of Financial Services, FAQ: Consumer Questions About No-Fault Insurance](https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance/nofault_faqs), checked October 29, 2026
- [Texas Legislature, Insurance Code chapter 1952 (1952.101, 1952.152, 1952.153)](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/IN/htm/IN.1952.htm), checked October 28, 2026
- [New York State Department of Financial Services, Auto Insurance Information for Consumers](https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance), checked October 28, 2026
- [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Insurance Requirements](https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/), checked April 21, 2021