WHAT IS MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE?
Medical payments coverage, also known as med pay or medical expense coverage, is an optional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy. It applies to situations in which you, the driver, or your passengers are injured as the result of an accident, regardless of fault. This type of coverage provides reimbursement of medical expenses up to the applicable limit of liability. This type of coverage is not available in all states.
WHAT DOES MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVER?
Auto insurance medical payments coverage may help pay for medical bills and even funeral expenses in the event of an accident. Medical bills that may be covered include:
- Doctor visits
- ER visits and hospital stays
- Surgery
- ER visits and ambulance fees
- X-rays
- Health insurance deductibles or co-pays
- Nursing services/care
WHAT ISN'T COVERED WITH MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE?
Medical payments coverage doesn't include the following:
• Any medical expenses not related to the accident
• Lost wages due to time off from work
WHY SHOULD I GET MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE?
Medical payments insurance is an optional coverage in the states that have it, but it might make sense to add it to your policy if you know that you wouldn’t be able to pay for medical expenses out-of-pocket if you are in a car accident. Liability insurance will pay for the other driver’s medical bills but does not include coverage for you and your passengers.
HOW MUCH COVERAGE
SHOULD I BUY?
Medical payments coverage does have a coverage limit, meaning there is a maximum amount your car insurance provider will pay in a covered loss. Consider how much you would be able to pay out-of-pocket in the event of an accident, as well as your health insurance deductible (if you have one). Med pay does not have a deductible.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION (PIP)?
Both medical payments coverage and Personal Injury Protection help pay for medical expenses after a car accident for you and/or your passengers, regardless of fault. PIP is available in “no-fault” states instead of medical payments and is sometimes required by law. Learn more about Personal Injury Protection by clicking here.
Want to get a SafeAuto quote or add medical payments to your policy? You can get a get a quote online or you can call SafeAuto at 1-800-SAFEAUTO (1-800-723-3288) to speak to a licensed representative about your options.