Interacting With Your Insurance Company
Dealing with insurance coverage in a personal injury claim is especially difficult and stressful, but given the circumstances you find yourself in, vitally important. As such, I highly recommend you contact your own insurance company after an auto accident in Kansas, even if you were not at fault. Your provider needs to be informed of the incident because it may need to be involved in the claims process, especially if you have coverage that can provide benefits such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. When you do, keep the following in mind:
Provide Basic Information
Provide your insurance company with basic information about the accident, such as the date, time, location, and the parties involved. You do not need to go into extensive detail at this stage of the process.
Cooperate
Your insurance company will likely ask for a statement about the accident. It’s generally advisable to cooperate and provide truthful information. However, you are not required to provide a detailed statement about fault at this stage. As such, I generally advise my clients to provide a general statement – but when they do, I tell them to stick to the facts and avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault.
Avoid Speculation
Do not speculate or assign blame when speaking with your insurance company. Simply provide the facts as you understand them. There’s no purpose in venturing beyond this with them. If you want to vent along these lines, do so with a family member or close friend.
Ask Questions
Feel free to ask your insurance company questions about the claims process and your coverage. This will help you understand the benefits available to you and the steps you need to take, a vital aspect of navigating your claim successfully.
Consult An Attorney
If you have concerns about how to handle interacting with your insurance company or if the accident involved injuries or significant damages, strongly consider consulting with a personal injury attorney. They will advise you on how to communicate with your insurance company and protect your rights.
Consider The Other Party’s Insurance
If the accident was not your fault, you may also need to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company to report the accident and open a claim. Provide the basic details. Do not discuss fault — or anything for that matter — in detail.
PIP Coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is a type of auto insurance coverage available in Kansas that provides benefits for medical expenses and other costs related to injuries suffered from car accidents, regardless of who was at fault. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and what it typically covers:
Mandatory Coverage
PIP coverage is mandatory in Kansas. This means that all auto insurance policies issued in the state must include PIP coverage unless the insured individual specifically rejects it in writing.
No-Fault System
Kansas operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. This means that, in the event of a car accident, your own PIP coverage will pay for your medical expenses and certain other losses, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This system is designed to provide prompt medical coverage for accident-related injuries.
Scope Of Coverage
PIP coverage primarily covers medical expenses resulting from a car accident. This includes hospital bills, doctor’s fees, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, and rehabilitation costs. It may also cover medical expenses for injuries sustained by passengers in your vehicle and pedestrians involved in the accident.
Rehabilitation Services
PIP coverage may include coverage for rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic care, as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Funeral Expenses
In the unfortunate event of a fatal car accident, PIP coverage may provide benefits to cover funeral and burial expenses.
Lost Wages
PIP coverage can also include benefits for lost wages if you are unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident. This coverage typically has limits, and you may be required to provide proof of your lost income.
Essential Services
Some PIP policies may provide coverage for essential services that you can no longer perform due to your injuries. This can include tasks like housekeeping or childcare.
Survivor Benefits
In the event of a fatal accident, PIP coverage may provide survivor benefits to the deceased’s dependents or beneficiaries.
Minimum Coverage Amount
Kansas law requires a minimum PIP coverage amount of $4,500 per person for medical expenses and $900 per month for disability and loss of income benefits. You can choose to purchase higher coverage limits if you wish. Given the risks you face if you don’t have strong coverage in this area, it may be worth considering, at the very least.
Coordination With Other Insurance
PIP coverage is designed to be the primary source of coverage for your medical expenses and related costs. However, it can coordinate with other health insurance you may have, like private health insurance or Medicare, to cover any remaining expenses.
PIP Coverage And Medical Costs
It’s entirely possible that your PIP coverage is not sufficient to pay for your medical costs after a car accident in Kansas. Even if this is the case, you may have several options to cover the remaining expenses, including:
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance coverage, such as a private health insurance plan or Medicare, it can help cover the medical costs that exceed your PIP limits. You should inform your health insurance company about the accident so it can coordinate with your PIP coverage to determine which policy should cover specific medical expenses.
MedPay Coverage
Some auto insurance policies include Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, which can provide additional coverage for medical expenses. MedPay coverage is typically available as an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
If the at-fault driver in the accident is uninsured or underinsured and your PIP coverage is insufficient to cover your damages, your UM/UIM coverage can help fill the gap. As mentioned earlier, this coverage is typically optional, but it can provide benefits when the at-fault party’s insurance is inadequate.
Letter Of Protection (LOP)
In some cases, healthcare providers may agree to provide medical treatment on a Letter of Protection. As mentioned earlier, an LOP is an agreement between you and the provider, allowing you to receive necessary medical treatment with the understanding that you will pay the provider from the eventual settlement or verdict in your personal injury case.
Negotiation With Healthcare Providers
Your attorney can negotiate with your healthcare providers to try to reduce the outstanding medical bills or work out a payment plan that is manageable for you.
Personal Funds
If none of the above options are available or sufficient, you may need to use your personal funds to cover the remaining medical costs. Be sure to keep records of all expenses related to your accident and injuries.
Consult With An Attorney
Consulting with a personal injury attorney if facing significant medical expenses and insufficient PIP coverage is key to navigating your situation. An attorney will assess your situation, explore all available options for compensation, and advocate for your rights during the claims process. They can also help you seek additional coverage or compensation from other parties if necessary.
For more information on Insurance Coverage In A Personal Injury Claim, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (913) 543-4500 today.
Call Now (913) 543-4500
