Opinion ID: 2334802
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Text: The Harasyns argue that Arkansas Code Annotated § 23-89-202 (Repl. 1999) sets forth no exclusions from personal injury coverage. They further claim that general exclusions which are applicable to the greater part of a policy are not necessarily applicable to personal injury protections provisions. The Harasyns contend that the plain language of the statute indicates the Legislature's intent that personal injury protection be afforded whenever an insured is injured by a motor vehicle. However, coverage under § 23-89-202 is not applicable as § 23-89-204 (Repl. 1999) prohibits coverage to Ms. Harasyn. Shelley Harasyn was neither an occupant of an insured vehicle, nor struck by an insured vehicle. She is not entitled to personal injury protection under the statute, nor does the business premises exclusion to that coverage violate public policy. Furthermore, an exclusion to PIP coverage cannot violate public policy when one considers a driver may waive coverage altogether. The business-premises exception applies to all portions of the policy, including PIP. Thus, the trial court did not err where Harasyn was injured on her business's premises and sought benefits from her policy, which included an exclusion for business-premises based claims.