Methodology for the PIP / No-Fault Coverage Dataset

The ru3.us PIP / No-Fault Dataset (Version 2025.01) is a structured representation of personal injury protection (PIP) and related benefits based solely on an initial consolidated 2025 reference document.

This page explains what the dataset does and does not claim, and how it is designed to evolve over time.

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Scope and Intent

The dataset addresses two questions for each jurisdiction:

1. Does the initial reference text explicitly describe PIP or PIP-like benefits as part of required coverage?
2. Where PIP is described, what is the core medical coverage amount, and what additional benefits are mentioned?

It does not attempt to:

• Classify each state as tort vs. no-fault vs. choice in Version 2025.01.
• Independently reconstruct every detail of no-fault statutes or optional benefits.

Instead, it preserves only what is clearly present in the initial text and marks everything else as "unknown".

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Fields and Interpretation

Each row includes:

• state_code – Two-letter USPS abbreviation
• state_name – Full state name
• pip_required –
  • "yes" where the reference text explicitly lists PIP as required coverage (e.g., “$10,000 personal injury protection”).
  • "unknown" where PIP is not mentioned in the text.
• pip_min_medical –
  • Numeric value of the PIP medical coverage amount when clearly described (e.g., 10000 for $10,000).
  • Blank when not specified or when the PIP description is too complex to cleanly reduce to a single medical coverage amount.
• pip_text –
  • A plain-text description of the PIP requirement, including non-medical benefits where present (e.g., income loss, funeral, rehabilitation, survivors’ benefits).
• no_fault_status –
  • "unknown" for all jurisdictions in Version 2025.01.
  • Future versions may classify states as “tort,” “no-fault,” or “choice” based on statutory or regulator sources.
• notes –
  • Primarily: “PIP / no-fault requirements not specified in initial source text; may be optional, not mandated, or omitted.”
  • May be expanded where future research clarifies status.

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Data Sources

Version 2025.01 uses:

1. The same consolidated 2025 state-by-state requirements text used for:
   • The minimum liability dataset
   • The UM/UIM dataset
2. Only the portions of that text that explicitly reference:
   • “Personal injury protection”
   • Clear PIP benefit structures (e.g., Kansas PIP medical, income loss, funeral, and survivors’ benefits)

No additional external sources are incorporated in this version. Where the reference is silent on PIP/no-fault, the dataset reflects that silence with "unknown".

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Design Choices

Key design decisions:

1. No fabricated no-fault labels
   Although many states are widely known as no-fault or choice states, Version 2025.01 does not assign a no-fault classification without explicitly tying it to reviewed statutory or regulator sources.

2. Minimal numeric fields
   PIP can include multiple benefit dimensions (medical, income loss, services, funeral, rehabilitation). Version 2025.01 only creates a single pip_min_medical numeric column and leaves all richer detail in pip_text.

3. Separation from liability and UM/UIM datasets
   PIP is kept in its own dataset so:

   • The minimum liability dataset remains simple.
   • UM/UIM and PIP can be updated and expanded on independent timelines.

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Future Enhancements

Planned improvements include:

• Adding a verified no_fault_status field with values such as:
  • tort
  • no_fault
  • choice
• Breaking out key PIP components:
  • pip_medical_min
  • pip_income_loss_min
  • pip_funeral_min
  • pip_rehab_min
• Replacing "unknown" entries by:
  • Reviewing state statutes and regulator publications
  • Logging changes with transparent version increments (e.g., 2025.02, 2025.03)

Each update will include a changelog describing:

• Which states changed
• What was added or clarified
• Any structural field additions

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How to Use This Dataset

Use this dataset to:

• Identify where PIP is clearly described as required coverage in the initial source.
• Compare PIP medical amounts across states that have explicit values.
• Feed models or tools that need conservative, clearly sourced PIP information without over-claiming.

Do not use it as a definitive statement of full no-fault law or PIP options. Always verify specifics with:

• State insurance regulators
• Statutes
• Insurers or qualified legal counsel

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Related ru3.us Resources

• PIP / No-Fault Dataset – Overview and Download
• Minimum Auto Liability Limits Dataset
• UM/UIM Coverage Dataset
• Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements by State (2025 Edition)
• ru3.us Datasets Index