Types of Insurance Coverage
There are countless types of insurance policies available throughout Ontario, and much of that coverage is mandatory. When it comes to auto policies, the options are especially broad. You are required to carry a minimum level of coverage, but you have the option for a variety of different policies. One of those policies is known as Personal Injury Protection.
These policies are designed to reimburse you for medical bills that occur immediately after an accident. These policies are different from other auto policies, in that they are “no-fault.” This means coverage is available no matter who is responsible for the crash. There are downsides to these policies as well and getting the benefits you require is never guaranteed. The good news is that a lawyer could help you with the process of obtaining benefits or seeking compensation through a lawsuit.
Personal Injury Protection Definition
What is Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage? PIP policies cover personal injuries following an accident. These claims often operate differently in other provinces, given that Ontario is a “no-fault” jurisdiction. This does not mean that fault for an accident is not assigned. Instead, it means that motorists must turn to their own insurance coverage to obtain benefits.
Personal Injury Protection in Ontario is typically sought by the insured driver. However, there are limited exceptions that allow other claimants to seek coverage. A lawyer can provide additional guidance on these claims.
Benefits from a Personal Injury Protection Claim
If you have suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident, the benefits from a successful Personal Injury Protection claim could go a long way to making you financially whole. These claims could provide benefits for past losses as well as foreseeable losses in the future.
Financial benefits are a major component of PIP coverage. These benefits cover your lost wages during the course of your recovery. These policies typically allow you to recover 80 percent of your wages prior to trial, and your full wage after trial until you are healthy enough to return to work.
Hospital expenses are the primary form of compensation sought with these claims. Any hospital or medical bills stemming from a crash could be claimed. These injuries are not limited to physical wounds, but psychological injuries as well. What’s more, any therapy needed could also fall into this type of coverage.
How a Lawyer Could Help
The no-fault insurance system was designed to help injured motorists obtain the compensation they need without waiting for months for a legal claim to resolve. Unfortunately, PIP claims are never guaranteed to pay out quickly – or at all. It should come as no surprise that insurance companies will seek out any excuse to deny a claim.
If an insurance company initially denies your PIP claim, that does not mean you are out of options. However, it could mean that you could benefit from the help of experienced legal counsel. Contesting a rejected insurance claim is never simple, and the insurance company is sure to have their own team of lawyers ready to argue that the rejection of your claim was appropriate. Often, their arguments are built on technical grounds. That is one reason why it is crucial to discuss your options with a lawyer immediately. Your insurance policy likely has a deadline to contest a rejected claim, and you could lose your chance at benefits if you fail to meet it.
Despite the no-fault nature of PIP coverage, you might have the option to bring a lawsuit under certain situations. This is a complex matter that should be discussed with a lawyer during your initial consultation.
Have you had your PIP claim rejected before? If so, we want to hear your story. Contact us right away and tell us about your experience.
