Curious if anyone's had experience with how PIP handles lost wages specifically? I get the medical coverage side, but seems like the wage reimbursement part could get really complicated—especially if you're self-employed or have irregular income. Does the insurer just take your word for it, or do you need some kind of proof from your employer or tax documents? Feels like that could slow things down even more...
"Does the insurer just take your word for it, or do you need some kind of proof from your employer or tax documents?"
You'll definitely need documentation—insurers don't just take anyone's word for it, especially with lost wages. Here's how it usually goes: first, you'll submit proof like pay stubs or tax returns (for self-employed folks). Then, they'll verify your average earnings and calculate reimbursement based on that. Yeah, it can slow things down a bit, but honestly, having clear paperwork upfront speeds up the whole process later. Hang in there...it's tedious but manageable.
Actually, while having paperwork handy does usually help, it's not always that straightforward. Sometimes insurers will accept a signed verification form directly from your employer instead of pay stubs or tax returns. I've seen cases where people couldn't easily access their pay stubs—maybe their employer had a messy payroll system or they were paid informally—and the insurer was willing to work with them by contacting the employer directly to confirm wages.
Also, keep in mind that some insurers might have their own specific forms or affidavits they want filled out. It's not always just about your tax docs or pay stubs. I remember one client who was self-employed and didn't have neatly organized tax returns (yeah, I know, not ideal...), but the insurer accepted bank statements showing regular deposits as proof of income. It took a bit more back-and-forth, but it got sorted eventually.
Another thing to consider: sometimes insurers will initially accept your documentation at face value, but then they'll follow up later if something seems off or unclear. So even if you submit everything perfectly upfront, don't be surprised if they circle back with more questions later on. It's annoying, but they're just covering their bases.
Bottom line is, yes, documentation matters—but there can be some flexibility depending on the insurer and your specific situation. It's not always a rigid "pay stub or nothing" scenario. Just make sure you're upfront about your situation and ask them directly what alternatives they might accept.
That's interesting to hear, actually. I always assumed insurers were pretty rigid about paperwork—guess I've been worrying too much about tracking down every last pay stub. Good to know there's some wiggle room if things get messy...which they usually do, in my experience.
I'd still be careful about assuming too much flexibility. Insurers might overlook minor gaps, but in my experience, missing key paperwork can drag things out or even affect your claim. Better safe than sorry...
