What is PIP or No-Fault Insurance?
PIP or no-fault insurance is coverage that provides compensation for your injuries regardless of who was at fault. Depending on your policy, it also provides compensation for some of your property damage. You can claim no-fault benefits if you have PIP coverage and are hurt in an accident. However, in Virginia, PIP benefits don’t cover everything, even if you’re hurt while riding a bicycle.
Virginia PIP Insurance Coverage for Bicycles
The majority of auto insurance companies in Virginia provide PIP coverage for bicycles. However, some do not. The best way to know is to read your insurance policy and contact your agent. Every situation is different, so you must get a definite answer about your bike insurance coverage. That way, you’ll be ready if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has PIP.
Bicycle PIP Benefits in Virginia
That’s the good news. However, the bad news is that PIP benefits don’t cover everything related to a bicycle accident. For example, they don’t cover any property damage to your bike or other bikes unless rented. They also don’t cover medical treatment that isn’t considered part of PIP coverage or services you must pay for on your own. These things will be determined by your insurance provider or auto insurance agent and may depend on the specifics of your case.
How Bicycle Accident PIP Benefits Affect Your Auto Policy
The best way to know what will and won’t be covered by your insurance is to ask your PIP insurance provider. You should also contact the adjuster from the auto accident-related settlements you regularly make. If you do have an accident with a car and you have PIP, then this information will affect how much money you get in auto settlement benefits.
Bicycle Accident Settlement
The value of your bike could impact the final amount you receive from an auto accident settlement in Virginia. If you have PIP coverage, your car insurance provider will use this as a guideline for your bike’s worth. If you do not, it will depend on how much the driver’s PIP coverage payout and what their policy covers.
Bike Accident Liability
If you’re hurt in a bicycle accident because of the negligence of an automobile driver, then the driver might be held liable for the damages. PIP won’t be an issue in these cases because you can file a claim with the driver’s insurance provider. As long as PIP covers your medical expenses and other costs, then your main concern will be getting compensation for your damages and injuries after hitting a bike.
Bicycle Accident Compensation
If you’re trying to figure out how much compensation you’ll get for your accident, then these are some essential factors to keep in mind:
The value of your bike before your accident and the cost of fixing your bike after the crash. The type of coverage that you have on your vehicle. Your location is in a bike lane, on the side of a road, etc.
You’ll likely have to go through the driver’s insurance company to claim compensation. However, suppose you were hurt in an accident with a hit-and-run driver or another type of negligent motorist. In that case, you might need a bicycle accident attorney to help you file a personal injury claim directly against your assets.
Now that you know how PIP coverage in Virginia works, you should be better prepared if you’re ever hurt in a bicycle accident. You need to know what your insurance provider will cover regarding medical costs and damages to your bike.
