Personal Injury Protection — New York
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Free to compare
What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Personal Injury Protection is mandatory first-party medical coverage that pays your bills after a crash before any other insurance responds. In New York's no-fault system, your PIP carrier pays your medical expenses, lost earnings, and other economic losses up to your policy limit, even if the other driver caused the accident. This means you file with your own insurer first, not the at-fault driver's liability carrier. PIP covers you, passengers in your vehicle, and pedestrians you strike.
Who Needs Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Every New York driver must carry PIP — it's not optional. Drivers who lack robust health insurance benefit most because PIP covers medical bills immediately without deductibles or copays that health plans impose.
Choose higher limits if you're self-employed, have dependents relying on your income, or lack health insurance. Choose a deductible if you have strong health coverage and want to reduce premiums, understanding you'll pay out of pocket before PIP responds. Compare the deductible savings against your ability to cover that amount after an accident.
How Much Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cost?
- County of residence — downstate New York counties pay substantially more than upstate due to higher claim frequency and medical costs.
- Driving record — at-fault accidents and violations increase PIP premiums because they signal higher likelihood of future claims.
- Vehicle type and use — commercial vehicles and high-mileage commuters face higher PIP rates due to increased exposure.
- Claims history — prior PIP claims on your record raise future premiums even in a no-fault state.
