Is Personal Injury Protection Required in Texas?

After a car accident, medical bills and lost wages can add up quickly. In Texas, one important form of insurance that helps cover these costs is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP provides immediate benefits to drivers and passengers, regardless of who was at fault. However, many Texas drivers are unaware of whether PIP is required, or how to properly decline it if they choose not to carry the coverage.

Understanding how PIP works can make a major difference in your financial recovery after an accident. RTRLAW’s personal injury attorneys help clients across Texas navigate insurance coverage, identify every available benefit, and pursue full compensation when negligent drivers cause harm.

What Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Cover?

Personal Injury Protection is designed to help cover medical expenses and lost income after a crash, no matter who caused it. Unlike liability insurance, which pays for damages to others, PIP helps you and your passengers recover financially.

Typical PIP coverage includes:

• Medical costs: Hospital visits, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and other necessary treatment.
• Lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost while recovering from your injuries.
• Essential household services: Compensation for tasks you can’t perform due to your injuries, such as childcare or housework.

PIP coverage in Texas typically starts at $2,500, though drivers can choose higher limits. These benefits can be especially helpful while waiting for a personal injury claim to settle, or if the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient.

Having PIP means you can focus on your recovery instead of worrying about how to pay immediate medical bills or missed paychecks.

Is PIP Coverage Required or Optional in Texas?

In Texas, Personal Injury Protection is not mandatory, but it is automatically included in every auto insurance policy unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.

This means your insurance company must:

• Offer you PIP coverage
• Include it in your policy by default
• Clearly explain your right to decline the coverage

If you do not sign a written rejection form, your policy automatically includes PIP by law.

This default inclusion is designed to protect drivers from financial hardship after an accident. Many injured Texans are surprised to learn they already have PIP coverage and can use it immediately after a crash without waiting for a liability investigation or lawsuit.

What is Necessary for Opting Out of PIP in Texas?

To legally opt out of Personal Injury Protection in Texas, you must reject the coverage in writing. Verbal refusals or casual “I don’t need that” conversations with your insurance agent are not enough.

The written rejection must:

• Be signed by the policyholder
• Clearly state that you are declining PIP coverage
• Be retained by the insurer as proof of rejection

If your insurer cannot produce a valid, signed rejection form, you are legally considered to have PIP coverage, even if you thought you declined it.

For this reason, many drivers discover after a crash that they’re eligible for benefits they didn’t realize existed. RTRLAW’s attorneys can review your insurance documents and determine whether PIP applies to your case.

Have You Been Injured in an Auto Accident? Call RTRLAW for a Free Case Evaluation Today.

Even if you have PIP coverage, insurance companies don’t always make it easy to collect. Adjusters may delay payments or try to minimize your claim. If you’ve been injured in a Texas auto accident, RTRLAW can ensure you receive the full protection and compensation you’re entitled to under state law.

Our attorneys handle everything from reviewing your policy and filing claims, to negotiating with insurers and pursuing additional damages from the at-fault driver.

Call RTRLAW at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787) for a free, confidential consultation.
We’re ready to help you get the medical care and financial recovery you deserve.