Drivers in most all states are required to have liability to cover other drivers and passengers in accidents. However, some states require drivers to buy more than bodily injury and property damage minimums. Drivers in Wilmington, Delaware, must also purchase personal injury protection in addition to third-party coverage.
How PIP works
The PIP portion of auto insurance covers the medical expenses of third parties and at-fault drivers even if they don’t have insurance. PIP differs from bodily injury, which only covers third party personal injuries if the insured driver is at fault.
Delaware requires drivers to purchase a minimum $15,000, which covers lost wages, up to $5,000 in funeral expenses, and $30,000 per accident. The per accident limit means that regardless of how many passengers got injured, it won’t pay past that amount. PIP typically covers medical expenses until policy limits are exhausted or when the doctor chosen by the provider clears them.
Coverage beyond policy limits
Sometimes, the minimum PIP limits aren’t enough given the cost of medical care, and they can quickly get exhausted. Drivers who don’t have enough PIP are at risk for lawsuits for the remainder of medical bills.
Since Delaware is an at-fault state, injured parties in Delaware aren’t limited to the compensation they can seek for uncovered expenses. For this reason, drivers should consider purchasing PIP beyond the coverage limits, which can run up to $100,000. PIP also covers the policyholder even if they are not a passenger in a vehicle, such as a cyclist.
Injured drivers or passengers should get medical attention as soon as possible, even if they are at fault. They have time limits to file an injury claim, which is three years in Delaware.