What is PIP?
Personal Injury Protection is a no-fault, first-party benefit on your Texas auto insurance policy.
- No-fault means it pays regardless of who caused the accident. Whether you were rear-ended at a red light or rear-ended someone else, PIP pays you.
- First-party means the benefit comes from your own insurance company — not from chasing the other driver's insurer.
If you're injured in a car accident in Texas, PIP is usually the fastest, simplest source of payment for medical care and lost wages.
Do I have PIP?
If you have Texas auto insurance, you probably do. Texas Insurance Code §1952.152 requires every auto insurer to include PIP in your policy unless you signed a written rejection. A verbal “no thanks” doesn't count.
To check, pull up your insurance declarations page (the summary your insurer mails you each renewal). Look for a line that says “PIP” or “Personal Injury Protection.” If there's a dollar amount next to it, you have it. If it says “rejected” or “declined,” you don't.
If you can't find your declarations page, call your insurer or bring your card to our office — we'll verify it for you in minutes.
What does PIP pay for?
- Medical expenses — doctor visits, chiropractic care, X-rays, MRI, physical therapy, hospital bills, prescriptions related to the injury.
- Lost wages — 80% of income lost because the injury kept you from working.
- Essential household services — if you can't perform tasks like childcare, cleaning, or yard work because of the injury, PIP pays for someone to do them.
- Funeral expenses — in fatal accidents, up to the policy limit.
Coverage applies to you as the policyholder, family members in your household, passengers in your vehicle at the time of the accident, and anyone you've given permission to drive your vehicle.
How much PIP do I have?
Per Texas Insurance Code §1952.153, the statutory minimum is $2,500 per person, per accident. That's the number every Texas insurer must offer.
You may have more. Common upgraded limits are $5,000 and $10,000 per person. Some carriers offer $25,000 or higher. The premium difference between $2,500 and $10,000 of PIP is typically a few dollars a month — far less than most drivers expect.
The limit applies per person, per accident. If you and a passenger are both injured in the same crash, you each get the full benefit. The coverage doesn't get split.
The comparison most drivers don't see
PIP vs. MedPay vs. Health Insurance.
| PIP | MedPay | Health Ins. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pays regardless of fault | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Covers lost wages | Yes (80%) | No | No |
| Covers household services | Yes | No | No |
| Insurer can recover from settlement | No | Yes | Often yes |
| Required to be offered in TX | Yes | No | N/A |
The key takeaway: of the three, PIP is the only one your insurer cannot recover from a future personal-injury settlement. Money paid out under PIP is yours, regardless of what happens with the at-fault driver.
Common myths, debunked.
“Filing a PIP claim will raise my rates.”
False. Texas insurers cannot surcharge you for using a benefit you paid for. PIP is a first-party benefit, like collision coverage on your own car — using it doesn't make you a worse risk.
“PIP only pays if the accident was the other driver's fault.”
False. PIP is no-fault. It pays whether you caused the accident, the other driver did, or fault is in dispute.
“I have to choose between PIP and my health insurance.”
False. You can use both. PIP usually pays first for accident-related care, with no co-pays or deductibles.
“If I settle with the at-fault driver's insurance, my PIP carrier will take their money back.”
False. Texas Insurance Code §1952.155(b) prohibits subrogation by PIP carriers in standard cases. The PIP money you receive is yours.
What if I have a personal-injury attorney?
PIP works alongside any liability or personal-injury claim — it doesn't compete with it, and it doesn't reduce your eventual settlement. We coordinate directly with attorneys' offices when needed: sharing records, billing summaries, and treatment narratives that strengthen the case.
If your $2,500 (or $5,000, or $10,000) PIP runs out before your treatment is complete and you have an active claim, we can continue care under a letter of protection — payment deferred until your case settles.