Maryland PIP can help cover treatment costs and lost income after a crash regardless of fault. That coverage is not automatic in every case, though, because drivers can reject it in writing when they buy a policy.
What does Maryland PIP usually pay for?
Personal injury protection helps cover direct costs that follow a covered collision. Maryland law generally requires insurers to offer this coverage, and it generally applies to the named policyholder, household family members and passengers in the insured vehicle, though policy terms can affect how a claim works. PIP may cover:
- Ambulance and emergency room costs
- Follow-up treatment, surgery and physical therapy
- Up to 85% of your lost income, subject to policy limits
- Household services you can no longer perform due to your injury and transportation to medical appointments
Maryland requires insurers to offer at least $2,500 in PIP coverage, though drivers may buy higher limits. Maryland’s PIP statute outlines the basic rules.
Waivers and paperwork can affect the claim
PIP applies by default unless the policyholder signs a written waiver. You usually start the claim by notifying the insurer and submitting the records it requests.
Insurers often ask for treatment records and wage loss documents before they pay benefits. If you miss paperwork deadlines or fail to respond to document requests, the insurer may delay payment or deny part of the claim.
What happens if benefits are delayed or denied?
A denied claim or a long payment delay does not always mean the insurer got it right. The dispute may involve the validity of the waiver, whether the policy covers the treatment or whether the carrier applied the policy terms correctly.
PIP should provide quick financial help after a crash, but waiver disputes and payment delays can limit that benefit. Those same problems can also affect claims against the at-fault driver. A Maryland car accident attorney can review whether the waiver was valid, whether the insurer applied your policy correctly and what options remain.