When you are in a car accident, you may soon worry about paying your medical bills.
Since New Jersey is a “no-fault” state, you can turn to your own auto insurance before recouping damages from the other driver.
Your car insurance
New Jersey requires PIP insurance on all policies. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays for your medical expenses in an accident, even ones caused by other drivers. This requirement ensures that you have medical coverage regardless of fault, if you are in a hit-and-run accident, and if the at-fault driver does not have car insurance.
The at-fault driver’s car insurance
Your PIP insurance may only cover a portion of your medical expenses. If the other driver was at fault, you may consider filing a claim against their car insurance policy. Drivers must have a minimum of $15,000 of liability insurance, which covers medical expenses for other people if they cause an accident.
Your uninsured/underinsured car insurance
Medical expenses after a car crash can be exorbitant. Suppose your PIP policy and the at-fault driver’s policy do not cover all the bills, or the other driver does not have liability insurance. In that case, you may file a claim with your insurance if you have optional uninsured/underinsured coverage.
Your health insurance
If the other driver does not have enough or any insurance, and you do not have an optional uninsured/underinsured policy rider, you may need to use your health insurance to pay some of your medical expenses.
Consider adding additional coverage to your car insurance policy, so you are never left with unpaid medical bills.