Kansas “No Fault” Insurance: The Basics
Kansas requires individuals to maintain minimum insurance coverage, including liability, Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. This article will focus on the required PIP or “no-fault” insurance coverage in Kansas and what it means for you. PIP provides compensation after a person sustains injuries in an automobile accident, including but not limited to lost wages and medical treatment.
These benefits are provided under the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act. The advantage of PIP is that you receive the benefits regardless of who was at fault. Kansas passed its mandatory PIP law with the goal of easing the burden on individuals who need benefits following serious injury-causing car accidents.
The minimum PIP coverage required under Kansas law provides you with:
- $4,500 per person for medical expenses
- $900 per month for disability and/or loss of income (for one year)
- $25 per day for in-home services (for one year)
- $2,000 for funeral, burial or cremation expenses
- $4,500 for rehabilitation expenses
For additional information on these specific coverages, please click here to read our article, “Personal Injury Protection, What Exactly Does It Cover?”
Now that you know which benefits are available under PIP, let’s look at some frequently asked questions.
Q: Who is covered under PIP insurance?
PIP applies to you and your immediate family residing in your household and passengers riding in your vehicle. If you are injured while in someone else’s car, you are still entitled to receive PIP benefits. For example, if you are riding as a passenger in a friend’s car when you are injured in an automobile crash, you can make a claim for PIP benefits under your friend’s insurance policy.
Q: Can I receive PIP benefits if I am driving a friend’s car that is not insured?
Yes, you can. Your own insurance company would provide PIP benefits.
Q: How do I claim my PIP benefits?
Contact your insurance agent, let them know you suffered injuries, and ask for a PIP application. Fill it out and send it to your insurance company to process your claim.
Q: Can I receive PIP benefits if I am a Missouri resident, but I get into a car accident in Kansas?
If you are not a Kansas resident, but you sustain injuries in an automobile accident in the state, you may have access to PIP benefits. There should be an automatic amendment to your policy that includes Kansas coverage while operating in Kansas.
Q: Will PIP coverage apply if I just bought a new car but didn’t add it to my policy yet?
Many auto policies provide a grace period, typically 30 days, to add a new car to your existing policy. If you have a preexisting insurance policy from another car, and that policy includes a grace period, then if you get into an accident, you should be able to recover PIP benefits as long as the crash falls within the allotted time.
Have You Suffered Injuries In A Kansas City Area Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident, you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Kansas City office directly at 816.471.5111 to schedule your free consultation.