Updated July 2026
What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Personal Injury Protection pays your medical expenses, lost income, and essential services costs after a car accident without requiring you to prove the other driver was at fault. It functions as first-party coverage, meaning your own policy pays your bills immediately while liability claims get sorted out. PIP typically covers hospital bills, rehabilitation, funeral expenses, and a percentage of lost wages up to your policy limit.
- You're rear-ended at a stoplight. Two days later, neck pain sends you to urgent care, then physical therapy for six weeks. Your health insurance has a $3,000 deductible and won't cover the first three PT visits. PIP pays your $2,400 in medical bills immediately, with no deductible and no waiting for the other driver's liability carrier to accept fault.
- You swerve to avoid debris, hit a guardrail, and break your wrist. You miss four weeks of work. Your employer doesn't offer paid leave. PIP covers $6,800 in hospital and orthopedic bills, plus 85% of your $4,000 in lost wages. Liability coverage doesn't apply because no other party was involved.
- Your spouse is injured while riding in your car during an accident you caused. Your liability coverage won't pay their medical bills because it only covers people in other vehicles. PIP pays up to your policy limit for their treatment, regardless of fault.
Who Needs Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
PIP makes sense if your health insurance has a high deductible, slow reimbursement, or gaps in coverage for things like chiropractic care or home health aides. It's particularly valuable for self-employed drivers who can't afford to miss work without income replacement, and for households where passengers frequently ride in your vehicle.
Compare your health insurance deductible to typical PIP premiums. If your deductible exceeds $2,000 and you'd pay $200 annually for $5,000 in PIP coverage, you're paying for faster claims processing and wage replacement. If your deductible is $500 and you have short-term disability coverage through work, PIP adds little value.
How Much Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cost?
Personal Injury Protection typically adds $8–$25 per month to an Ohio auto insurance premium, or approximately $96–$300 annually, depending on coverage limits selected.
- Coverage limit chosen — policies range from $2,500 to $100,000, with higher limits increasing premiums proportionally.
- Deductible selection — choosing a $250 or $500 deductible reduces monthly cost but increases out-of-pocket expense at claim time.
- Household size and driver count — more drivers on the policy increase PIP cost because each person gains coverage.
- Zip code medical cost index — areas with higher average hospital and specialist costs see higher PIP premiums.
- Stacking election — choosing stacked PIP (combining limits across multiple vehicles) doubles or triples the base premium.