Personal Injury Protection When Driving Someone
Else's Vehicle
Author: Amy Nutt

No one wants to get into a car accident. Car accidents are an
unfortunate and all-too-common byproduct of our auto-centric
society. Sadly, the take thousands of lives and cost us billions
of dollars every year in repairs, medical bills, insurance
payments, lost wages and funeral costs.

Every car owner in America should have car insurance. Laws
differ by state, but every state in the union requires
automobile owners to have some form of car insurance. The
minimal amount of car insurance required by law is liability
insurance, which covers cost incurred for the other driver when
you are involved in an accident and it's your fault.

No one will ever accuse the insurance industry of being simple.
As many people have experienced, making an insurance claim is
often a boondoggle of red tape and bureaucratic frustration,
especially if you are unfamiliar with the system.

This article will address the issue of personal injury
protection when you are driving someone else's vehicle.

If you are investigating this issue, beware that laws and
procedures involving car insurance differ state by state. Be
sure and educate yourself to the best of your ability about the
laws in your state.

Personal injury protection coverage is sold in increments of
$2,500. The base amount available for purchase is usually
$2,500, but it can increase to higher amounts such as $5,000 or
$10,000 depending on your state and insurance carrier. Personal
Injury Protection (or PIP) covers you and any immediate family
member riding in your insured vehicle or any other vehicle in
which you or your family member might be riding. However, this
coverage does not cover you or your family members if you are
driving another person's car without permission.

That fact is crucial. If you or any member of your immediate
family choose to drive another person's car, be absolutely sure
you do so with full permission.

Conversely, if you loan your car to anyone, your Personal
Injury Protection extends to that person. That is good news for
anyone without automobile insurance who borrows a car from
someone who does have insurance.

It is highly recommended that every car owner in America have
Personal Injury Protection. In a tragic situation, it can save
you or your family members a huge amount of financial and
emotional strain. One of the most helpful features of Personal
Injury Protection is that it will play 100 percent of your
necessary medical or funeral bills as well as providing 80
percent of your lost wages and reasonable expenses related to
the accident –such as household help.

If you collect this money and then collect damages from the
person who negligently caused your injuries, you do not have to
return the money your insurance company paid you, which is
another major benefit of Personal Injury Protection.

As you enroll in an auto insurance, you might be tempted to cut
corners and spend less money on your monthly bill. At first,
this might seem like a good idea, especially if you are a safe
driver with a good driving record. But even the best drivers can
make mistakes and get into accidents. You and your family's
health and well-being are far too precious to squander over a
smaller monthly insurance bill. I highly encourage you to
investigate Personal Injury Protection and include it in your
car insurance plan. It may not seem important, but when you need
it you will be very glad you have it.


About The Author: Toronto Ontario Personal Injury law firm that
represents individuals who have been hurt in car accidents, slip
and falls for many decades. http://www.bergellaw.com/