Selecting Your Health Care Option
Do you have health insurance? If so, you may be able to designate your health insurer as your primary source of medical care should you be injured in an accident. This can yield significant premium savings, but you must ask yourself some questions before making this decision.
Does your health insurer cover injuries from an automobile accident?
You can not select Medicare or Medicaid as your primary health insurer for auto accidents. However, Medicare or Medicaid may pay some costs not covered by the primary insurer.
If your health insurer provides coverage, what are the requirements for deductibles, co-payments, and pre-certification?
What is the maximum amount your health insurer will pay if you are in an accident?
If you are satisfied that your health insurer would provide adequate coverage if you are in an accident, compare the health benefits to those provided through Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
PIP pays if you or others covered under your policy are injured in an automobile accident. It is sometimes called “no-fault” coverage because it pays your own medical costs no matter who caused the accident.
PIP has two parts - (1) coverage for your medical bills and (2) reimbursement for certain other expenses you may have because you are hurt, such as lost wages and the need to hire someone to take care of your home or family.
Most New Jersey drivers buy $250,000 worth of PIP, a higher amount than drivers typically purchase in other states.