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Written by:
Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer
Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.
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Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
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Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Basic reparations benefits (BRP or PIP) is a type of personal injury protection insurance covering medical and other economic losses from an auto accident up to the selected limit amount.

Policy terms vary, but, in general, BRP includes:

  • Medical expenses – May include necessary and reasonable doctor and hospital visits, nursing and rehabilitation.
  • Loss of income – Has a maximum payment listed on your policy (typically around $200 per week).
  • Loss of essential services (also referred to as replacement services) – You can receive benefits if you need help performing household or other tasks due to your injury.

In some states, additional reparations benefit coverage is available to extend additional benefits. Additional reparations benefit coverage is usually primary over any health Insurance. You cannot carry basic reparations benefits if you already have medical payments as part of your policy. Is basic and additional reparation benefits coverage mandatory? This coverage is optional.

What happens if I don’t have basic and additional reparation benefits coverage?

If you choose to go without basic or additional reparation benefits coverage, then to have your medical expenses paid for when you are at fault in an accident or the at-fault party cannot cover your injuries, you will need to have coverage such as medical payments on your policy or you may end up paying out-of-pocket for your medical bills.

If you have adequate health insurance, basic reparations benefits may be unnecessary. 

— Michelle Megna contributed to this story.

Laura Longero

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

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John McCormick

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John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

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Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.