In Hawaii, any driver involved in a car accident can file their own insurance claim, regardless of fault. Also known as personal injury protection (PIP), this statewide “no-fault” insurance system is designed to help provide prompt medical benefits for the driver and/or their passengers’ crash injuries.
What does Hawaii’s PIP insurance cover?
Under Hawaii state law, all registered motor vehicles must carry a PIP insurance of at least $10,000 per person. Here are two types of benefits covered by a basic PIP insurance:
- Medical expenses: Covers payments for reasonable medical expenses including ambulance rides, emergency room care, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications and more.
- Recovery services: If the driver’s crash-related injuries require rehabilitation, PIP can cover payments for their occupational therapy, physical therapy and/or chiropractic care.
It is important to note that Hawaii’s basic PIP insurance does not include wage loss benefits, death benefits and funeral benefits. However, policyowners can get them as optional add-ons.
What if someone else was driving the car?
The good thing about Hawaii’s PIP insurance policy is that it still provides coverage even if the policyowner was not the driver of the car during the time of the accident. In this case, the policyowner’s PIP insurance will apply to the driver of the car and its passengers (if any).
Prompt insurance claim’s process
By understanding how PIP insurance works and following the legal process involved, drivers can file their claim and receive financial aid for their crash injuries. This step not only helps relieve them of their financial worries but also allows them to focus on their recovery.