What I didn't know about PIP Insurance almost cost me everything after my accident

What I didn’t know about PIP insurance almost cost me everything after my accident

I’m not someone who posts about this kind of stuff, but I feel like more people need to know this because I almost made a really expensive mistake.

Back a few months ago, I got rear-ended in traffic on I-35W. Nothing crazy, or so I thought. The other driver was fine, I felt shaken up but okay-ish, and I figured I’d deal with the insurance stuff once the dust settled. I had coverage. I wasn’t in a rush.

What I didn’t realize was how easy it would be to keep putting it off.

A friend of mine who works in healthcare asked me within a few days if I had gotten checked by a doctor and used my PIP benefits yet. I had no idea what she was talking about.

Here’s what I learned:

Minnesota requires no-fault coverage, also known as Personal Injury Protection or PIP. Minimum coverage is $40,000 per person, including $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses such as lost income and replacement services. It can help with some of the financial impact that comes with being injured in a crash. Sounds great, right?

The catch nobody tells you: Minnesota no-fault/PIP claims must be made within six months of the accident. Six months sounds like a long time, but between car repairs, insurance calls, medical appointments, missed work, and everything else going on after a crash, that time can go by faster than you think.

And here’s the thing about car accident injuries: they do not always show up right away. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, back pain, neck pain, headaches, soreness, or stiffness can take days to really feel. So it can be easy to do what I almost did: wait to see how you feel, assume everything is fine, and keep putting the insurance and medical stuff off while you deal with everything else. Before you know it, weeks or even months can pass.

I ended up calling 1-800-ASK-GARY® instead of putting it off any longer. They connected me with a doctor and a personal injury lawyer the same day, no cost to me, no runaround. I did not have to Google anything or figure out who to trust. Just one call.

I’m not saying everyone’s situation is the same. But if you or someone you know just got into an accident in Minnesota, don’t let six months fool you into thinking there’s no reason to act. When you’re dealing with repairs, insurance, medical appointments, work, and everyday life, that time can disappear quickly.

TLDR: Minnesota requires no-fault/PIP coverage, with a minimum of $40,000 per person. No-fault/PIP claims must be made within six months of the accident. Six months may sound like plenty of time, but after a crash, life gets busy fast. 1-800-ASK-GARY® helped me get connected with a doctor and a personal injury lawyer fast, with one free call.

Visit
www.1800askgary.com

Disclaimer: This story is based on real experiences shared by 1-800-ASK-GARY® callers. Details may be adjusted for privacy and clarity.