Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a type of no-fault car insurance that pays medical expenses and lost wages after an auto accident, regardless of who was at fault.1 Limited exclusions apply, for example if you intentionally caused the crash, were in a vehicle you knew was stolen, or were committing a felony, and policies can limit PIP for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. This coverage helps accident victims get money quickly, without waiting for fault to be decided.

You’re hurt, you’ve missed work, and the first bills have landed. Your Maryland PIP injury coverage is money you can claim now, but only if you file the claim correctly and on time.1 This page walks through who to notify, which deadline applies, and what records to send.

In Maryland, an insurance company must include PIP in an auto policy unless the first named insured signs a written waiver.2 Maryland law also requires insurance companies to offer at least $2,500 in PIP coverage.1

PIP is one piece of the bigger question of who pays your medical bills after a crash. If you’re hurt and not sure where to start, call (410) 837-2144 for a free case review. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

How Does PIP Insurance Work in Maryland?

PIP is a first-party benefit, meaning you claim it from your auto policy, not from the driver who hit you. Maryland’s statute lists what it pays for:3

  • Medical expenses incurred within 3 years of the crash, including hospital, surgical, dental, X-ray, ambulance, and nursing care, prosthetic devices, and funeral costs3
  • Lost wages at 85% of the income you lost within 3 years, if you were earning income when the crash happened3
  • Essential services: the cost of household work you can’t do, if you weren’t earning income when you were hurt3

Those benefits share one ceiling. At the statutory minimum, PIP pays up to $2,500 per person in total, whether the money goes to medical bills, lost wages, essential services, or a mix of them.3 It pays regardless of who caused the crash, and you don’t have to repay it from your settlement.4 Limited exclusions apply, for example if you intentionally caused the crash, were in a vehicle you knew was stolen, or were committing a felony, and policies can limit PIP for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

The amount of PIP coverage available depends on the policy you select. Maryland requires insurance companies to offer at least $2,500 in PIP coverage, but higher limits may be available for an extra cost.1

Who PIP Covers

PIP isn’t only for the person who bought the policy. It covers the first named insured and family members living in that person’s household in any motor vehicle accident, even in someone else’s car or a hit-and-run.3 It also covers a pedestrian, or someone on a bicycle or other pedal-powered vehicle, who is hurt in a crash involving the insured car.3 If that’s you, our bicycle accident page covers the injury claim side.

Income means more than a paycheck. The statute counts wages, salaries, tips, commissions, and professional fees.3 Picture a restaurant server riding in a friend’s car who misses three weeks of shifts: the tips she lost count toward the 85% benefit.

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How PIP Differs From Liability Insurance

PIP

PIP insurance is no-fault, meaning it covers your expenses regardless of who caused the accident.4 Limited exclusions apply, for example if you intentionally caused the crash, were in a vehicle you knew was stolen, or were committing a felony, and policies can limit PIP for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. In contrast, liability insurance compensates others for damages when you are at fault in an accident.

If you have PIP coverage, your auto insurer pays your medical bills and lost wages up to the policy limit, not the other driver. Liability insurance only applies if someone files a claim for damages the policyholder caused.

For the full map of what each part of a policy does, see how Maryland car insurance works. The rest of this page stays on the PIP claim itself.

Filing a Claim With Your PIP Provider

Filing a PIP claim in Maryland follows a set order. Here’s the short version:

  • Notify the insurance company about the accident in writing, and ask for PIP forms.
  • Watch for the letter that tells you your filing deadline.
  • Submit your medical bills, wage records, and other proof.
  • Track the 30-day payment clock.

PIP can be denied if you don’t file a claim properly and on time, so act quickly.1 Each step is explained below.

Step 1: Tell the Right Insurance Company, in Writing

Start by working out whose PIP pays. The PIP on the vehicle you were riding in pays, and so does the PIP on a car that hit you as a pedestrian or cyclist.5 If that car has no PIP, your own insurance company pays instead.5

Then contact that insurance company right away and request PIP forms.1 Put the notice in writing, too. Written notice from an insured is what triggers the insurance company’s duty to mail you your deadline.6 If you’re claiming under someone else’s policy, don’t count on that letter. Most policies require a PIP claim within 12 months of the crash, so file well before then.6

Step 2: Find Your Filing Deadline

Maryland law doesn’t set one fixed PIP deadline. Instead, your policy may set a period for filing the original claim, and that period can’t be shorter than 12 months after the crash.6 After you give written notice, the insurance company must mail you the latest date you can file.67

Keep that letter with your claim papers. The date in it is the one that counts for your claim, not a number you read online.

Step 3: Send Proof of Your Claim

The law asks for “satisfactory proof of claim” before the payment clock starts.6 For lost income, the insurance company may also require reasonable medical proof that your injury caused the time off work.3

The statute doesn’t list specific documents, and application forms differ by insurance company. A practical file, though, answers every question about a charge or a lost paycheck:

  • The PIP application form the insurance company sends you
  • Itemized bills from each hospital, doctor and therapist
  • A doctor’s note tying your time off work to the injury
  • Pay stubs, tip records or other proof of what you earned before the crash
  • A copy of the accident report and your notes from the scene8

Keep copies of everything you send, along with receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses. The Maryland Insurance Administration tells drivers to keep records of all paperwork related to a claim.8

Two more reasons to keep that file complete. If your treatment stops and then restarts, the insurance company may ask for medical proof the injury came back.6 And in the District Court, or in a circuit court case that stays within the District Court’s dollar limit, a written bill for health care can prove the amount and fairness of the charges without the provider testifying, as long as the law’s notice steps are followed.9

Step 4: Track the 30-Day Payment Clock

PIP pays as bills and wage losses come in, not in one lump sum at the end. The insurance company must pay within 30 days after it receives satisfactory proof of claim.6 Overdue payments earn simple interest of 1.5% per month.6

Once the policy limit is paid out, PIP stops.6 According to the Maryland Insurance Administration, most policies require PIP to be used in full before medical payments coverage pays anything.1 If you think the insurance company has handled your claim improperly, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration.1

Maryland PIP Rules That Change Your Claim

A few Maryland rules decide whether PIP pays you, how much, and what happens to it later. They’re worth knowing before you file.

Fault and other insurance don’t reduce it.

PIP pays without regard to who caused the crash.4 That matters in Maryland, where sharing any fault can bar an injury claim against the other driver. Attorney Hunter Duke’s guidance is direct on this point: if you have PIP, you can tap into it whether you were at fault or not. Limited exclusions apply, for example if you intentionally caused the crash, were in a vehicle you knew was stolen, or were committing a felony, and policies can limit PIP for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

This commentary reflects experience in past matters. It is marketing material, not legal advice, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Having health insurance doesn’t cut your PIP either.4 The one exception is a policyholder who chose in writing to coordinate the auto policy with a health plan.4

Your premium can’t go up, and you don’t pay it back

The insurance company may not raise your premium because of a PIP claim or payment.4 It also has no right to recover what it paid out of your injury settlement.4

PIP and MedPay are not subject to subrogation in Maryland. You keep the full benefit on top of any liability recovery. That’s a real difference from a health plan, which may seek repayment out of your settlement.

One policy at a time, and workers’ comp comes first

You can’t collect PIP from two auto policies for the same losses.5 If you were hurt on the job and workers’ compensation already paid, your PIP is reduced by those benefits unless workers’ comp has been reimbursed.5

When there may be no PIP at all

Check the declarations page of the policy first. A policyholder who declines PIP for listed drivers and household members 16 and older has what the Maryland Insurance Administration calls “Limited PIP”.1 That waiver allowed by statute binds each named insured, each listed driver and each household family member who is at least 16.2 It doesn’t stop pedestrians, guest passengers, or minor children from collecting PIP under the policy.10

Rejecting PIP entirely is only allowed in narrow cases on a policy with the minimum liability limits.11 A policy may also exclude someone who caused the crash on purpose, or who was riding in a car they knew was stolen.3 Motorcycle, moped and scooter policies may leave out these benefits altogether.3

When Can You File a Claim Against Another Driver?

While PIP covers your immediate costs, it may not be enough to fully compensate you after a serious accident. Maryland doesn’t limit your right to sue the at-fault driver because you have PIP. A personal injury claim or lawsuit matters most when:

  • Your losses exceed your PIP coverage limits
  • The accident caused pain and suffering, which PIP does not cover

PIP’s categories are medical expenses, lost income and essential services, and pain and suffering isn’t one of them.3 Fault matters here in a way it doesn’t for PIP, because of Maryland’s contributory negligence rule, which can bar your injury claim if you share any blame.

A personal injury claim allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

What Damages Are Available With PIP and a Personal Injury Claim?

PIP and personal injury claims cover different types of damages. Here’s a breakdown.

PIP covers:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages at 85%, for people who were earning income
  • Essential household services, for people who weren’t earning income

A personal injury claim covers:

Unlike PIP, a personal injury claim requires you to prove the other driver’s fault. In exchange, it can reach losses PIP never touches, including the pain and disruption of a serious injury.

How Much Time Do You Have To File a Personal Injury Claim in Maryland?

Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases gives you 3 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court.12 That deadline is separate from your PIP filing period, which is set by your policy and can be much shorter.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as:

  • Claims involving local government entities, which require written notice within 1 year after the injury under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304, much sooner than 3 years13
  • Claims for minors, where the deadline may be extended in some cases if the injured person is under 18

Filing your claim promptly is essential to protect your rights and your ability to seek compensation.

Why You Should Consider an Attorney

Handling PIP and an injury claim at the same time is two jobs with two sets of deadlines. An experienced Maryland car accident lawyer can help by:

  • Explaining how PIP and an injury claim fit together in your case
  • Keeping filings and lawsuits on time
  • Negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
  • Building a strong case, with evidence to prove fault and damages

A mistake on the PIP side can echo later, because the same bills and records support your injury claim. Having a lawyer keep both files straight lets you focus on getting better.

Over $100 million recovered for our clients.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a PIP claim in Maryland?

Contact the insurance company right away, in writing, and ask for PIP forms.1 Start with the insurance company for the car you were in, or the car that hit you if you were walking or biking.5 Written notice also makes the insurance company mail you your filing deadline.6 Claims that aren’t filed properly and on time can be denied.1

How long do I have to file for PIP?

It depends on your policy. Maryland lets a policy set a deadline for the original PIP claim, but that deadline can’t be shorter than 12 months after the crash.6 After you notify the insurance company in writing, it must mail you the latest date you can file.67 Keep that letter, and file well before the date.

What records do I need to send for PIP?

The law requires “satisfactory proof of claim,” and for lost wages the insurance company may ask for medical proof that your injury kept you from working.63 In practice, that means the PIP application, itemized medical bills, a doctor’s note about time off, and pay or tip records. The insurance company must pay within 30 days of receiving satisfactory proof.6

Will my car insurance premium go up if I use PIP?

No. Maryland law says an insurance company may not increase the premium on your policy because of a PIP claim or payment.4 That includes surcharges, moving you to a higher rate tier, and taking away a discount.4 Using PIP after a crash shouldn’t cost you more at renewal.

Do I have to pay PIP back out of my settlement?

No. In Maryland, the insurance company that pays PIP has no right of subrogation, so it can’t take that money back out of your injury settlement.4 You keep the full PIP benefit on top of anything you recover from the at-fault driver. Health insurance plans are different and may seek repayment.

Can I get PIP if the crash was my fault?

Yes. Maryland PIP is payable without regard to who caused the accident, including you.4 That matters because Maryland’s contributory negligence rule can bar an injury claim against the other driver when you’re even partly at fault. PIP still has its limit of up to $2,500 unless you bought more.3 Limited exclusions apply, for example if you intentionally caused the crash, were in a vehicle you knew was stolen, or were committing a felony, and policies can limit PIP for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

What if workers’ compensation already paid for my injury?

Your PIP is reduced by the workers’ compensation benefits you received, unless workers’ comp has been reimbursed.5 That rule stops the same loss from being paid twice. If you were driving for work when you were hurt, tell both the PIP insurance company and the workers’ comp insurance company about the other claim.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation With an Experienced Maryland Car Accident Lawyer

Understanding PIP insurance and your legal options after an accident can be complicated, but you don’t have to face it alone. A skilled Maryland car accident lawyer can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and help you recover the compensation you need.

Don’t let a PIP deadline or a missing record cost you money you’re owed. Get in touch with our Maryland car accident lawyers or call (410) 837-2144 for a free case review. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

For more plain-English explainers, browse our Baltimore personal injury resources.

This content is marketing material and is not legal advice. Every case is unique and laws change frequently. Please contact our office to speak with an attorney about your specific situation before making any legal decisions.

Sources

  1. Maryland Insurance Administration, A Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance (MIA-A-1, 7/24), 2024. PIP definition, $2,500 offer requirement, higher limits, timely-filing warning, Limited PIP, medical payments order, record keeping and complaint route (pp. 13, 15, 17, 37, 44). https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/autoinsuranceguide.pdf
  2. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-506, 2026. Affirmative written waiver and who a waiver binds. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gin/19-506.pdf
  3. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-505, 2026. Covered individuals, $2,500 minimum benefits, definition of income, medical proof for lost income, permitted exclusions, motorcycle exclusion. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gin/19-505.pdf
  4. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-507, 2026. Benefits payable regardless of fault and collateral sources, coordination election, no premium increase, no subrogation. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gin/19-507.pdf
  5. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-513, 2026. Which insurance company pays, no duplicative recovery, workers’ compensation reduction. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gin/19-513.pdf
  6. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-508, 2026; Code of Maryland Regulations 31.15.07.05. Payment within 30 days of satisfactory proof; policy may set a filing period of not less than 12 months and require proof of recurrence; aggregate benefits capped at policy limits; insurer must notify the insured of the last filing date on written notice from an insured; 1.5% monthly interest on overdue payments. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gin&section=19-508&enactments=false
  7. Code of Maryland Regulations 31.15.07.05 (Maryland Division of State Documents), Time for Filing Claim for Personal Injury Protection Benefits. https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/31.15.07.05
  8. Maryland Insurance Administration, A Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance (MIA-A-1, 7/24), 2024. Claims Related Questions: keep records of all paperwork (p. 37). https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/autoinsuranceguide.pdf
  9. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 10-104, 2026. Health care bills admissible without provider testimony, with notice; applies in the District Court and in a circuit court case where the amount in controversy does not exceed the § 4-401 amount. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gcj/10-104.pdf
  10. Maryland Insurance Administration, Required Notice of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage and Options Selection Form, 2016. Limited PIP waiver does not impair pedestrians or minor children. https://insurance.maryland.gov/Insurer/Documents/rates-and-forms/Required-Notice-of-Personal-Injury-Protection-Coverage.pdf
  11. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Insurance § 19-506.1, 2026. Rejection of PIP limited to minimum-liability policies in specified cases. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gin/19-506.1.pdf
  12. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-101, 2026. Three-year deadline for civil actions. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026rs/Statute_Web/gcj/5-101.pdf
  13. Maryland General Assembly, Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-304, 2026. Local Government Tort Claims Act: written notice within 1 year after the injury. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-304&enactments=false