What does 'PIP' stand for in auto insurance?

In auto insurance, PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection.

PIP is a first-party coverage that can pay medical expenses after a motor-vehicle accident, often without regard to who caused the crash. Depending on state law and the policy, it may also cover lost wages, funeral costs, replacement services, passengers, or certain pedestrians. Because it is associated with no-fault insurance systems, PIP is often called no-fault coverage, although the exact benefits and legal rules vary widely.

PIP is mandatory in some U.S. states, optional in others, and offered for rejection in certain jurisdictions. A driver typically makes a PIP claim with their own insurer rather than waiting for a liability dispute to be resolved. Medical-payments coverage can look similar, but it is generally narrower and is not identical to PIP.

PIP is not property-damage protection: it focuses on people’s injury-related costs. It also does not mean premiums can never rise after a claim. State statutes and policy wording determine limits, eligible people, treatment rules, deductibles, and coordination with health or workers’ compensation insurance.