Auto Insurance Claims: PIP coverage, bodily injury liability, lump sum settlement

Question
our 19 year old son was in a motorcycle accident this past week. A car pulled out in front of him and that driver was sited with a citation for failure to yield. In the process of taking care of his medical ( he was thrown off his bike when he tried to stop and knocked unconscious and was taken to a nearby trauma untit at the hospital) his injuries are minor. But his insurance adjuster is saying he does not have PIP coverage ( it looks like the assignment of fault will be with the other driver so that policy who happens to be Geico too) However..in Utah it is required by law that you have PIP coverage ...my question is how can Geico not require him or my other son or husband  to not carry PIP on their motorcycle policies????? When its the state law? And do you know is that his fault for not asking for it??? I mean how would he know?

Answer
Hi Julie,

I am not specifically familiar with Utah insurance law. However, in states that I am familiar that have PIP coverage, it only applies to 4 wheel vehicles. This means that PIP coverage is not available to be purchased when you are insuring a motorcycle. The reason PIP coverage is generally excluded from motorcycle policies is due to the fact that often injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are very serious with expenses that could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In this case since the other party was at fault, you will be filing a bodily injury liability claim. In this case they do not pay medical bills as they are incured. Instead they will do a one time lump sum settlement after all treatment is finished. You settlement should include all medical expenses, lost wages (if any) and pain & suffering. The settlement figure is negotiable.

For assistance in determining the value of your sons claim, visit www.collisionwizard.com

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh