How does no-fault state insurance work?
Asked by: Ms. Libbie Feil | Last update: June 8, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (28 votes)
Who pays for car damage in no-fault state?
In no-fault states, each party carries insurance that pays for their own injuries, while the at-fault party typically pays for everyone's property damage.
What is the point of a no-fault state?
The primary purpose of no-fault insurance is to save money and time (often involved in lawsuits). Claims processes and lawsuits usually cause high expenses for both parties and delay the settlement.
Do you get money from no-fault insurance?
So let's start with a basic definition: no-fault insurance, sometimes referred to as personal injury protection insurance (PIP), can help cover you and your passengers' medical expenses and loss of income in the event of a covered accident, regardless of who is found at fault.
What does it mean that KY is a no-fault state?
The state of Kentucky is called a no-fault state because of a law stating that each driver in the state of Kentucky has to file a claim with their insurance company first to get compensation for medical bills and other financial losses caused by the accident according to their own insurance policy.
How Does No-Fault Insurance Work? : Insurance Advice
Who pays for car damage in Kentucky?
If another driver is responsible for causing a car accident and the subsequent damage that occurs to your vehicle, then the at-fault driver's insurance is the primary source of compensation recovery. Every driver in Kentucky is required by law to carry $10,000 worth of property damage liability insurance.
Can you sue someone in a no-fault state?
Threshold for Lawsuits: In some no-fault states, a threshold must be met before you can sue for damages beyond what PIP covers. This threshold often involves meeting certain criteria related to the severity of injuries, medical expenses incurred, or permanent disability or disfigurement.
What are the cons of no-fault insurance?
CONS: Fewer legal options: In most states, drivers with no-fault policies are restricted from suing unless the injuries meet a certain severity threshold. Potentially higher premiums: Some say no-fault insurance may lead to higher premiums due to more claims being filed.
What to do when you're in a car accident and it's not your fault?
- Get out of harm's way.
- Check for injuries.
- Call the police.
- Gather information at the car accident scene.
- Report the crash to your insurance company.
- Understand insurance coverage.
- Get medical treatment.
- Contact a car accident lawyer.
Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?
If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.
Does a no-fault accident affect insurance?
In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.
Are no-fault states more expensive?
Rates are actually higher under no-fault. Regardless of theory, insurance premiums in no-fault states are on average 25% higher than in traditional liability states. There is no reduction in litigation costs under a no-fault system.
What happens if no one is at fault in an accident?
But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.
Who pays deductible in no-fault accident?
Policyholders will generally pay the deductible before comprehensive coverage kicks in. Liability insurance. Liability coverage, which is required in California, doesn't involve deductibles but covers damages the policyholder causes to other vehicles, drivers, or property. Uninsured motorist coverage.
Do I need full coverage in a no-fault state?
In no-fault insurance states, drivers are normally required to have a minimum amount of PIP Coverage. This is to help make sure that people will have coverage to help if they're injured in an auto accident. This coverage is often in addition to auto coverages like Bodily Injury and Property Damage.
Will insurance pay out if it was my fault?
Who pays for an at-fault accident? If the situation is clear-cut, or one party admits that they caused the accident, the at-fault driver's auto insurance should pay for any property damage and medical bills, and in some cases compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering.
Do I call my insurance if I'm not at fault?
Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involves injuries or property damage. It is a common myth that you needn't contact your insurance company if you aren't at fault.
Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?
If you own the car outright, you will receive the check. If not, the check goes to the leasing company or the lender, otherwise known as the lien holder. If you owe money on the vehicle, you should notify the lending company that your car has been totaled.
What to do if someone claims you hit their car?
- Evaluate the Situation.
- Speak to the Other Party Politely.
- Take Photos and Videos.
- Gather Witnesses.
- Check for Nearby Cameras.
- Report the Incident.
- Explain Your Side Clearly.
- When to Consult an Attorney.
How does a no-fault insurance state work?
No-fault systems focus solely on issues of compensation for bodily injury, and such policies pay the medical bills for drivers and their companions no matter whose fault the collision was.
What are the advantages of the no-fault system?
In a no-fault insurance policy, the insurance company provides compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other types of damages. Other benefits of no-fault insurance include a simplified claims process and reduced legal costs.
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
When someone hits you, do you call their insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, your own insurance will pay if you have the right coverage. Always call your own insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault.
Are no-fault states bad?
Higher Premiums
Auto insurance premiums in no-fault states tend to be considerably higher than in fault states. If you get injured in a car accident and file a claim, your premiums might increase even more, even though you are the victim, not the at-fault party.
How does Kentucky no-fault insurance work?
Kentucky requires basic PIP coverage on all motor vehicles except motorcycles. Basic PIP is to be paid by the insurer of the vehicle in which the injured person is riding at the time of an accident, or the vehicle which strikes a pedestrian, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.