Washington PIP & Paying for Accident Care

What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Washington?

Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner describes PIP as optional auto insurance coverage that can help with certain costs when you or your passengers are injured in an auto accident. PIP generally applies regardless of who caused the collision, although policy terms and exclusions still apply.

Important: Washington insurers must offer PIP on automobile liability policies. A named insured may reject PIP in writing. If you are unsure whether you have it, check your declarations page or contact your insurance company or agent.

Minimum PIP benefits Washington insurers must offer

The minimum benefit limits established in Washington law include the following. Your own policy may have different or higher limits, so the policy itself controls.

Medical & hospital benefits$10,000 minimum benefit per injured person. The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner states these benefits are available for covered costs incurred within three years of the accident. Additional coverage may be purchased to increase the medical benefit to $35,000.

Income continuation$10,000 total, subject to a $200-per-week limit under the minimum coverage. The OIC notes that wage benefits apply after a qualifying 14-day period of disability and may continue for up to one year. Higher limits may be available if purchased.

Loss of services$5,000 total under the minimum coverage, subject to a $200-per-week limit, for qualifying services you cannot perform because of the accident. Higher limits may be available if purchased.

Funeral benefit$2,000 under the minimum coverage.

These are general Washington minimum-offer benefit limits, not a statement that any particular bill or service will be covered.

PIP is not the same as liability coverage

PIP

PIP is first-party coverage on an auto policy. When available, it can help with certain covered injury-related expenses without waiting for a determination of who was at fault.

Liability coverage

Liability coverage addresses injury or property damage that an insured driver is legally responsible for causing. It is a different coverage with a different claims process.

Does PIP automatically pay every accident-related treatment bill?

No. The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner notes that PIP does not cover services an insurer determines are not reasonable, necessary, related to the accident, or incurred within the applicable time period. Coverage decisions are made by the insurer under the individual policy.

Your policy must actually include PIP coverage.

The service must meet the policy's coverage requirements.

The insurer may review whether care is reasonable, necessary and related to the collision.

Benefit limits can be reached even while additional care is still clinically indicated.

How Henschell Chiropractic handles the clinical side

Our role is to evaluate and treat the patient—not to decide insurance coverage. For auto-injury patients, we document the collision history, symptoms, examination findings, functional limitations, care provided and progress over time. When authorized, our office can also provide clinical records and billing information needed for the claim process.

1. Clinical evaluationWe establish a starting point based on the history, examination and current functional limitations.

2. Claim informationIf you have an auto claim, bring the insurer name, claim number and adjuster information you have been given.

3. Care & documentationChiropractic, massage, rehabilitation and onsite digital X-ray may be used when clinically appropriate.

4. ReassessmentWe reassess progress and document changes in symptoms, movement and day-to-day function.

What should I bring to an auto-injury visit?

Your photo ID and health-insurance information.

Your auto-insurance carrier and policy information, if available.

Your claim number and adjuster contact information, if a claim has already been opened.

Any emergency-room, urgent-care, imaging or other records you already have.

What if I do not have PIP—or my PIP benefits run out?

Payment options after a collision depend on the coverages available, the status of the claim and the terms of any health or auto policies involved. If PIP is unavailable or exhausted, contact your insurer or agent to understand what other coverage may apply. If you are represented by an attorney, you can also discuss claim-related questions with your legal counsel.

Henschell Chiropractic can explain our office's billing information and provide records for the care we deliver, but we cannot determine whether an insurer will pay a particular service or guarantee reimbursement.

Common Washington PIP questions

Do I have PIP?

Check your auto-policy declarations page or ask your insurer or agent. Washington requires insurers to offer PIP, but a named insured may reject it in writing.

Does fault matter for PIP?

PIP generally applies regardless of fault, subject to the policy terms, exclusions and available benefits.

Does PIP guarantee chiropractic coverage?

No. Whether any specific service is covered depends on the policy and the insurer's determination that the service meets applicable coverage requirements.

Official Washington resource

This page is educational and is not legal or insurance advice. For current Washington PIP rules and consumer information, review the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) →