Can I get reimbursed for lost wages if I am unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident?
You can get reimbursed for lost wages if you cannot work due to injuries sustained in an accident if you have personal injury protection, also known as PIP insurance. Lost wage compensation through PIP is available to individuals who suffered injuries in a car accident, including your passengers
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Published Insurance Expert
Melanie Musson is the fourth generation in her family to work in the insurance industry. She grew up with insurance talk as part of her everyday conversation and has studied to gain an in-depth knowledge of state-specific insurance laws and dynamics as well as a broad understanding of how insurance fits into every person’s life, from budgets to coverage levels. Through her years working in th...
Melanie Musson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Brandon Frady
Updated November 2024
- If you are unable to work due to injuries sustained in a car accident and lose wages, you may be able to claim from your insurance company
- Usually, you will need personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to claim for lost wages
- If another driver were at fault, their liability insurance could pay for your lost wages unless you live in a no-fault state
When you sustain injuries in a car accident, it may take time for you to recover. During this time, you may be unable to work and are rightly concerned about your finances.
In this case, you may not understand how auto insurance works. Can you get reimbursed for lost wages? We appreciate your concerns and will answer your questions below.
You May Be Able to Get Reimbursed for Lost Wages If You Are Unable to Work Due to Injuries Sustained in an Accident
If you live in a no-fault state and have personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage as part of your insurance policy, you can claim from your own insurance company to reimburse lost wages. Find out more about affordable personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance coverage.
If you live in an at-fault state and another driver was at fault, you can file a third-party claim with the other party’s insurance company. Sometimes, your own insurance company will help you to do this. The other driver’s liability insurance will pay for your lost wages.
If you were at fault, you would typically need medical payments coverage or PIP to claim help with medical bills or lost wages.
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Your Liability Insurance Coverage Does Not Include Coverage for Personal Injuries That You or Your Passengers May Suffer
Liability coverage will help cover damages you may be responsible for to another party if you cause an accident. If you want to claim for repairs to your property, you’ll typically need collision or comprehensive insurance coverage in place.
If you want to claim for injuries (including medical bills, prescription costs, pain and suffering and lost wages), you will need medical payments and PIP as part of your policy. Get more information if you sometimes ask: “What are the different types of auto insurance coverage?”
Information Needed to Make a Claim For Injuries Sustained From an Accident
You will need some information if you want to file a third-party claim with another driver’s insurance company.
This will include:
- The name and phone number of the other driver
- Their registration and licensing detail
- Their vehicle information
- Their auto insurance information
- Any witness statements
- A police report
- Any photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
- Medical reports to show the extent of your injuries and to prove that you cannot work for a specified amount of time
- Wage slips or other salary information to verify your income
Check out our guide to learn how to file an auto insurance claim.
The Amount You Can Claim Through Third-Party Insurance Depends on Their Coverage and Limits
Most states require a driver to carry liability coverage, but the minimum amounts vary from state to state. Check out the auto insurance requirements by state for more information.
The amount you can claim will depend on the other party’s coverage and limits. If this amount is not enough, you may be able to claim from your own insurance company if you have underinsured motorist protection. Otherwise, you may need to file a personal injury claim against the driver.
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You May Be Able to Claim Lost Wages If You Are Unable to Work Due to Injuries Sustained in an Accident
You may be able to claim lost wages if you’ve been off work due to an accident in some circumstances.
For example, if another driver was at fault, their liability insurance may cover you depending on whether you live in an at-fault or no-fault state. Otherwise, you may be able to claim if you have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover lost wages because of an accident?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the loss of income?
If you get an hourly wage and typically work a set number of hours per day, you will multiply the hourly wage by the total number of hours you missed.
What protects you against claims of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, if you cause an accident injuring other people?
Your liability insurance should cover any claim up to the limits on your policy.
Who pays for lost wages in a car accident?
If another driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay. If they do not have any or adequate insurance, your uninsured or underinsured motorist cover can help. You may be able to turn to your own insurance company if you have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection.
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