Kansas is one of roughly a dozen states that use a no-fault system for car accident injuries. After a crash on Kellogg or I-135, the first policy that pays your medical bills is usually your own, no matter who caused the wreck. The coverage that makes this work is personal injury protection, better known as PIP.
What PIP Covers in Kansas
Every Kansas auto policy must include PIP under the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act. State law sets minimum amounts for each benefit, and many drivers can choose higher limits.
Medical Expenses
Reasonable and necessary treatment after a crash.
Rehabilitation
Therapy and services that help an injured person recover function.
Lost Income
A portion of wages while you’re unable to work, typically after a short waiting period.
Essential Services
Help with tasks you can’t handle while injured, like household chores or childcare.
Funeral and Survivor Benefits
Support for families after a fatal accident.
When You Can Step Outside the No-Fault System
PIP doesn’t pay for pain and suffering. Under K.S.A. 40-3117, an injured person can pursue those damages against the at-fault driver only when the injury crosses a threshold: medical treatment above a set dollar value, or a serious injury such as a fracture to a weight-bearing bone, permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or loss of a bodily function. Once a claim moves into the fault-based system, the other driver’s liability coverage comes into play, and Kansas comparative fault rules apply.
That’s why liability limits still matter in a no-fault state. Our post on liability after multi-vehicle highway accidents explains how those limits respond when several drivers are involved.
A Smart Time to Review Your PIP
Minimum PIP can run out quickly after a serious injury, and an injury attorney can explain the threshold rules if a claim gets complicated. Insurance Solutions of South Central Kansas in Wichita, KS can show you your current PIP limits and the options for raising them. Explore our Kansas auto insurance page or contact Insurance Solutions of South Central Kansas, serving drivers in Wichita, KS, Valley Center, and nearby communities.
