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Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is a mandatory form of auto insurance coverage for all drivers in Oregon. The only exception is motorcyclists, who aren’t required to carry PIP insurance in the state. Each PIP insurance policy must provide at least $15,000 of coverage per person injured in an accident, which can be used to pay medical expenses, lost wages or other related costs. You can also choose to purchase a policy with higher limits, often up to $100,000 per person. 

 All auto insurance policies in Oregon must include personal injury protection, which provides coverage if you’re injured due to operating or maintaining a vehicle. No matter who is at fault for an accident, personal injury protection insurance pays for your injuries. PIP insurance provides coverage for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Funeral expenses
• Other expenses stemming from your injury

Oregon law requires at least $15,000 of PIP coverage, however you can purchase a policy with higher limits if you choose. While not all PIP policies come with a deductible, which can reduce your premiums, this option is available through some insurers. Just note that the maximum deductible allowed in Oregon is $250, so adding this to your policy isn’t likely to reduce premiums significantly.

Oregon PIP insurance provides coverage for all necessary and reasonable medical expenses incurred within two years of an accident, as long as they don’t exceed your policy limit. Medical expenses can include a wide variety of procedures, such as X-rays, surgery and dental treatments. PIP may also cover your "medical mileage"—transportation costs for necessary trips to the hospital or doctors’ offices. If you use your PIP for these costs though, you must keep very detailed records of all miles driven and transportation receipts to submit with your claims. 

While PIP insurance is very broad in what it covers, Oregon insurers can require that you are assessed by a doctor of their choice. If the doctor determines any procedures aren’t necessary or reasonable, or says you’re healthy enough to work, the insurer can dispute your claim. In that case, you can try to make a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer or can contest the issue with your own insurer, which will typically require involving a lawyer.

 If you file a personal injury protection claim in Oregon, your premiums will not increase due to that factor, so you shouldn’t be concerned about filing a claim for needed benefits. Oregon’s statutes of limitation are fairly strict, so if you’re injured in an accident involving a vehicle, you should file a claim as soon as possible.

To do so, contact the insurance company and request a PIP application. This document should be completed with all relevant information about your injuries, the parties treating you and any expenses incurred during treatment. Submitting this form promptly to the insurer not only improves the chances your claim will be addressed, but also shortens the time until you receive PIP benefits.

In Oregon, if you were in a vehicle at the time of the incident, your primary PIP coverage is through the policy on that vehicle. Once that coverage is exhausted, you may be able to lean on your own PIP insurance, if you have a policy, or your health insurance.

If you were a pedestrian or bicyclist injured in an incident with a vehicle, PIP benefits would be available to you in the following order:

• If you have an auto insurance policy, you would first go to your own insurer for PIP benefits.
• If you’re not listed on an auto insurance policy but a family member in your household is, you would go to their insurer for PIP benefits.
• If no one in your household has auto insurance, you would rely on your health insurance or other governmental benefits for medical coverage.
• If none of the above situations apply to you, you would file a claim with the insurer of the vehicle for PIP benefits.