The most common question we hear after a crash isn’t about pain. It’s “How am I going to pay for this?” Usually it comes from someone who has already decided to tough it out, because they assume treatment means a fight with an insurance company or a pile of bills.
In Oregon, that assumption is usually wrong. Every auto insurance policy written in this state includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It exists so people can get treated quickly after a collision, without waiting to find out who was at fault.
This post explains how PIP works in plain language. It is general information, not legal advice, and your own policy is the final word. Your insurer or a personal injury attorney can confirm the details of your coverage.
What PIP is, in one sentence
PIP is coverage on your own auto policy that pays your medical bills (and some other losses) after a crash, no matter who caused it.
That last part matters. You don’t have to prove the other driver was at fault before your care is paid for. Fault still gets sorted out later between the insurance companies and, if needed, attorneys. PIP is designed so your treatment doesn’t wait on that.
What Oregon’s minimum PIP coverage includes
Oregon law (ORS 742.520–742.524) sets a minimum that every policy must include. Many people carry more than the minimum, so check your declarations page.
| Benefit | Oregon minimum |
|---|---|
| Medical, hospital, and related expenses | $15,000 per person |
| Time window for medical expenses | Expenses incurred within 2 years of the accident |
| Lost income (if you can’t work for 14+ consecutive days) | 70% of lost income, up to $3,000/month, for up to 52 weeks |
| Essential services (help with household tasks you can’t do) | Up to $30/day, for up to 365 days |
| Funeral expenses | Up to $5,000 |
Who’s covered: you, members of your household, passengers in your car, and in many cases pedestrians struck by an insured vehicle.
Does PIP cover chiropractic care?
Yes. PIP pays for reasonable and necessary treatment of injuries caused by the accident, and chiropractic care is part of that. At Gentle Care, accident-related care that is commonly billed to PIP includes:
- Chiropractic adjustments for whiplash, neck and back injuries
- Massage therapy as part of an accident treatment plan
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise
- Digital X-rays taken at our clinic to evaluate the injury
- SoftWave shockwave and laser therapy when they are part of your accident care plan
You don’t need a referral from another doctor to start chiropractic care under PIP. In most cases we bill your insurer directly, so you are not paying up front at each visit.
The 2-year clock and why starting early matters
PIP covers expenses incurred within two years of the crash. That sounds like plenty of time, but the window isn’t the main reason to come in early.
The bigger reason is your recovery, along with the record of it. In our whiplash recovery article we cover research showing that people who start rehabilitation sooner tend to improve more than people who wait. An exam soon after the crash also creates a medical record connecting your symptoms to the accident date. If an adjuster later asks whether your neck pain really came from the collision, a gap of several weeks before your first visit makes that harder to answer.
Many injuries don’t hurt right away. Adrenaline masks pain for hours or days (here’s why). “I felt fine at the scene” is normal. It doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt.
How a PIP claim works at our clinic
- Report the accident to your insurer. This opens your PIP claim. You’ll get a claim number and usually an adjuster’s name.
- Call us or book online. Bring your claim number, your policy information, and the police report number if there is one. Our claims process page has the full checklist.
- We examine and document. We do a thorough exam, take X-rays if needed, and write a care plan based on your specific injuries.
- We bill PIP directly. Our billing team handles submission and communicates with your adjuster.
- We coordinate with your attorney, if you have one. We provide records and updates on the timeline they need.
What happens if PIP runs out?
$15,000 covers more care than most people expect, but serious injuries can use it up. When that happens, there are usually other options:
- Your health insurance can often pick up after PIP is exhausted.
- The at-fault driver’s liability coverage may pay for your care through a claim or settlement.
- If you have a personal injury attorney, care can often continue under a lien, which means it is paid when your case resolves.
We’ll walk you through these options before your PIP runs out so nothing comes as a surprise. You can see our payment options for more.
Common PIP questions
Will using PIP raise my premium? Oregon generally restricts insurers from raising rates over a PIP claim when you weren’t at fault. Rate rules depend on your insurer and your situation, so ask your agent directly.
The other driver was at fault. Shouldn’t their insurance pay? Eventually it may. But PIP pays first so your care isn’t delayed, and your insurer can seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s carrier later. That’s handled between the insurance companies.
I was a passenger. Am I covered? Usually yes, under the PIP on the vehicle you were riding in, or under your own household’s policy.
Do I need a lawyer to use PIP? No. You can open and use a PIP claim yourself. Some people bring in a personal injury attorney when injuries are significant or a claim gets contested. We work with attorneys throughout the Portland metro area and can coordinate with yours.
¿Hablan español? Sí. Our exams, paperwork, and claim coordination are all available in Spanish.
Hurt in a crash? Get evaluated first
If you’ve been in an accident anywhere in West Linn, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Tualatin, Milwaukie, or Southwest Portland, get evaluated even if you feel mostly okay. Accident patients are seen quickly, and we’ll check your PIP benefits before your first adjustment.
Call (503) 650-2394 or request an appointment online.
This article is general information about Oregon auto insurance and is not legal advice. Coverage amounts and terms vary by policy. Confirm your benefits with your insurer.
Dealing with this in West Linn, Lake Oswego or Oregon City?
Same-week appointments. PIP and most insurance accepted.