Guess I'll have to crunch some numbers again... ugh, adulting.
I totally get the hesitation. I used to think PIP was just another line item padding my bill until my sister had a minor accident last winter. She felt fine at first, but a few days later her neck and shoulders were killing her. Luckily, her PIP covered all the initial doctor visits and even some massage therapy sessions without any hassle. Still, I'm curious—does anyone know if using your PIP coverage like that ends up raising your premiums later on?
"Still, I'm curious—does anyone know if using your PIP coverage like that ends up raising your premiums later on?"
From what I've seen, it really depends on your insurer and state regulations. Technically, PIP claims shouldn't directly raise your premiums since it's no-fault coverage... but insurers have their ways. A friend of mine had a similar experience—used PIP after a minor fender-bender—and noticed a slight premium bump at renewal. Could've been coincidence, but it made me skeptical. I'd double-check with your provider just to be safe.
I've heard similar stories, but honestly, I'm not totally convinced that using PIP alone would bump your rates. My sister had a pretty decent-sized PIP claim after someone rear-ended her, and her premiums stayed exactly the same at renewal. Could be that your friend's insurer was just looking for an excuse to raise rates anyway... or maybe it varies more by state than we realize? Insurance companies are tricky like that, so who knows.
"Could be that your friend's insurer was just looking for an excuse to raise rates anyway... or maybe it varies more by state than we realize?"
Yeah, honestly, insurers can be pretty unpredictable with stuff like this. From what I've seen, PIP claims shouldn't automatically hike your premiums—especially if you're not at fault. But to be safe, always double-check your state's guidelines and maybe even shop around periodically... never hurts to stay informed.
Honestly, insurers are always looking for reasons to bump rates, so I wouldn't put it past them. But from what I've experienced, a single PIP claim—especially if you're clearly not at fault—shouldn't automatically trigger an increase. Could it depend on how many claims you've had before or maybe the size of the payout? I've heard some states have stricter rules about premium hikes after no-fault claims, while others seem pretty lax.
Have you checked your state's insurance commission website? Usually, they have clear guidelines about what's allowed and what's not. Also, have you considered calling around to other insurers just to compare? Sometimes you'll find a better deal elsewhere, even after a claim. I switched companies last year after a minor fender-bender (not my fault either), and ended up saving money... go figure.
