Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Texas insurers must offer PIP with auto policies, with at least $2,500 in coverage, unless you rejected it in writing. PIP can help pay medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident. Check your declarations page or ask your agent whether you have it.
MedPay
Medical Payments coverage is optional coverage on some policies that helps pay medical bills after an accident, regardless of fault.
Health insurance
Your health insurance may cover accident related care. We accept most major plans. Please call to confirm your coverage.
If another driver was at fault
Texas is an at-fault state, so the other driver's liability insurance is generally responsible for your injuries. Those claims usually resolve after treatment is complete. Many patients work with an attorney on these claims, and we coordinate records with the attorney you choose.
Deadlines
In Texas the time limit to file most personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the injury. Your situation may differ, so talk to an attorney about your case.
How do I find out whether my auto policy has PIP?
Look at the declarations page of your auto policy, which lists each coverage and its limit. In Texas, insurers must include Personal Injury Protection unless a named insured rejected it in writing, with a $2,500 minimum. If it is not listed, ask your agent whether a signed rejection is on file.
Many people are unsure because PIP was chosen or declined years ago when the policy started. Your insurer can send you a copy of your current declarations page and, if coverage was rejected, the signed rejection form.
Also check the limit. Some policies carry more than the minimum, and the amount matters when medical bills and lost income are added together.
How quickly does a Texas insurer have to pay PIP benefits?
Texas law generally requires an insurer to pay PIP benefits as claims arise, and not later than the 30th day after it receives satisfactory proof of the claim. What counts as satisfactory proof can vary, so submit your application, medical bills and records promptly and keep copies of everything you send.
Your insurer will usually ask you to complete a PIP application and may request wage information if you are claiming lost income. Keep a simple log of what you sent and when. If payment seems delayed, ask the adjuster in writing what else they need.
PIP from your own policy generally pays regardless of who caused the crash, which is why many patients use it early while the at-fault driver's claim is still open.
What is the difference between PIP and MedPay?
Both can help with medical bills after a crash regardless of fault. PIP in Texas can also help with lost income and certain nonmedical costs, and it must be offered on auto policies. Medical Payments coverage is optional and generally limited to medical and related expenses. Your declarations page shows which you have.
Some drivers carry one, some carry both, and some carry neither. Each has its own limit and its own rules in the policy language, so the insurer or your agent is the best source for exactly what your coverage pays.
If you have both, the order they pay in depends on the policy wording and the insurer. Ask the adjuster how they coordinate, and keep a running total of bills submitted so you know when a limit is getting close.
Can I use my health insurance for car accident treatment?
Often, yes. Many health plans cover medically necessary care after an accident, subject to your deductible, copays and plan rules. Your plan may later seek repayment from a settlement, sometimes called subrogation or reimbursement. Spine Health & Wellness accepts most major insurance plans, and we ask you to call to confirm coverage.
Using health insurance can make sense when PIP is exhausted, was rejected, or does not exist. Tell us at booking that your visit is accident related so we can note it correctly. Your plan may ask you to fill out an accident questionnaire. If you have an attorney, let them know which coverage is paying for your care.
Some health plans limit the number of chiropractic or therapy visits per year or require a referral. Checking those limits early keeps care from stopping unexpectedly partway through recovery.
What is a letter of protection?
A letter of protection is a written agreement, usually from your attorney, asking a provider to wait for payment until your injury claim resolves, with the bill paid from any recovery. You generally remain responsible for the bill, including if the case does not resolve in your favor, so read the terms carefully.
Some practices accept these arrangements and some do not, and terms differ. Ask us about your specific situation before care begins. Your attorney can explain how such a letter works in your case and what happens if the claim settles for less than expected or does not settle at all.
Before signing anything, it is reasonable to ask a few plain questions: who is responsible for the bill and when, whether the balance can change, what happens if you change attorneys, and whether you can still use PIP or health insurance for part of your care. Getting those answers in writing avoids surprises later. Your attorney is the right person to review the letter's terms with you.
Which Texas deadlines and fault rules affect paying for accident care?
The general limitations period for most Texas personal injury lawsuits is two years from the injury, and Texas generally bars recovery if a person is more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. Both can shape how bills are ultimately paid, so talk to an attorney about your specific case early.
Insurance policies can also have their own deadlines for notice and proof of loss, separate from the lawsuit deadline. Report the accident to your insurer promptly and read the claim letters they send. We are healthcare providers, and nothing on this page is legal advice.
Keep a folder, paper or digital, with your claim numbers, adjuster names, the dates you submitted bills and any letters you receive. When questions come up months later, that folder answers most of them.
If the other driver had no insurance or not enough, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may matter. Your agent or an attorney can tell you whether you carry it and how a claim under it works.
Frequently asked questions
Can you tell me if I have a case?
What is the minimum PIP amount in Texas?
Does PIP pay if the accident was my fault?
Does PIP cover my passengers?
What happens when my PIP runs out before treatment is finished?
Will using PIP raise my insurance rates in Texas?
Do I have to pay back PIP from a settlement?
Can I switch from PIP to health insurance partway through care?
What paperwork should I bring about coverage to my first accident visit?
This page is general information, not legal advice. For questions about a claim, talk to an attorney or the agency that handles your claim.