Martin v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance

WILNER, Judge.

Md.Code Ann. art. 48A, § 539(a) requires every automobile insurance policy sold in Maryland to provide up to $2,500 in benefits for medical expenses and “loss of income” as the result of an accident. These are “first party” benefits, payable by the insurer to its insured(s) without regard to who was at fault in the accident, and are commonly referred to as PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits.

Section 541(b) of art. 48A specifically allows parties to contract for PIP coverage in excess of this mandatory minimum, if they choose to do so. In 1984 or 1985, Grace and William…