Whats the difference between Personal Injury Protection and Bodily injury on car insurance?

[montrel68]

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) protects you if you get injured driving your car, regardless of who is at fault. Bodily Injury (BI) protects those you may cause injury to when you are at fault for an accident. It is important to have both, and most states require it. Laws on how to file an injury claim and required coverages vary state by state, but buy the best coverages you can afford to protect yourself physically and financially. You can't count on the other driver being at fault, having insurance, decent limits, or even staying at the scene.

[joachim]

The first answer submitted is a very good explanation, but I would like to add this: the Bodily Injury portion of your policy is part of your Limit of Liability Coverage and is the most important part of your coverage. Don't go with only minimum state requirement and low deductibles, you really set yourself up for major financial exposure. Also, have your agent explain Medical Payment coverage as the alternative to Personal Injury Protection. Depending on your individual situation, this may be a better option.