PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION
SHOULD YOU SELECT YOUR
PERSONAL MEDICAL AS PRIMARY OR
NJ PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION
WHEN GETTING YOUR AUTO INSURANCE?
BY: ERIN WESTON
Y
ou may be aware that NJ is a
no-fault medical state for auto
insurance. In the event of a
personal automobile accident,
regardless of fault, you are
responsible for your own medical bills.
Your personal auto insurance policy offers
two options for medical coverage: Personal
Injury Protection (PIP) primary or you can
use your private health care provider as
primary. PIP is medical coverage that is
built into your auto insurance policy.
Many people select private health care
primary for a rate savings without fully
understanding the coverage. We typically
recommend PIP primary even though
it costs a little more, because there are
restrictions that can impact you if you
choose your private health care primary.
For example:
• Most private health insurance plans
have high deductibles that you must
pay before coverage begins.
• Most private health insurance plans
force you to get pre-authorization
before you can have surgery or see a
specialist.
• Most private health carriers limit the
number of chiropractic visitations. If
your visitations are limited, once you
reach the limit you will be personally
responsible for the full cost to the
chiropractor out of pocket.
Alternatively, there are benefits to
selecting health care primary. In the
event of an accident, you are able to
utilize your doctors who already know
your medical history. If you select PIP
primary you have to use the PIP doctor
that is assigned to you. In most cases,
you will not be able to use your primary
care physician if you select PIP primary.
There are important factors to look into
prior to making this decision. If you
are covered under Medicaid, Medicare
or New Jersey Care Plan you must select
PIP primary. It is important to ask your
health insurance provider if they will
respond as primary. If you have multiple
drivers on your insurance policy, the
PIP selection applies to all drivers. You
must make sure all household members’
insurance providers will respond as
primary. Lastly, if your health insurance
changes, you should check with your
new provider on how they respond to
auto accident injuries and make sure to
contact your insurance agent or auto
insurance company.
Every person has a different situation
and different automobile and medical
coverage needs. To obtain guidance
on the best coverage for your personal
situation please contact us for a
consultation.
Erin Weston is the Personal Lines Supervisor at Hardenbergh Insurance Group. She is
an expert in Personal Insurance and joined HIG in 2015. Erin has been working in the
insurance industry for over 12 years.
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