What Is Medical Payments Coverage Auto Insurance?

Does Auto Insurance Cover Medical Expenses?

When you’re involved in a car accident, one of the first things you may wonder is whether your auto insurance will cover your medical expenses. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of coverage you have, the state you live in, and who’s at fault for the accident. Here’s a breakdown of how auto insurance can cover medical expenses and what options are available to you.

1. Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, is an optional type of auto insurance that helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident. If you’re injured in a car accident, MedPay can cover things like:

• Emergency medical treatment (hospital visits, ambulance, etc.)
• Surgery or medical procedures
• X-rays and diagnostic tests
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Funeral expenses (in some cases)

MedPay is a valuable addition for those who want to ensure quick payment of medical bills, especially when the other driver is at fault. It’s usually available for a relatively low premium and can cover medical expenses whether you’re the driver or a passenger in your own car, or even in someone else’s car.

2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is similar to MedPay but tends to provide broader coverage. PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers and, in some cases, may also cover things like lost wages, childcare costs, and funeral expenses. PIP is required in some states with no-fault insurance laws, but it’s optional in other areas.

Key things PIP covers include:

• Medical bills for you and your passengers
• Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to the accident
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Childcare costs (if you’re unable to care for children due to injury)
• Death benefits in the event of a fatal accident

If you live in a no-fault state, PIP is usually required and can be the primary coverage for medical expenses, helping you get treatment without having to wait for fault to be determined.

3. Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily Injury Liability is another type of coverage included in most auto insurance policies, but it does not cover your own medical expenses. Instead, it covers the medical expenses of others if you’re at fault in an accident. For example, if you cause an accident that injures another driver or their passengers, your Bodily Injury Liability coverage would help pay their medical bills.

However, if you’re the one who gets injured in an accident you caused, your own medical expenses wouldn’t be covered by this type of coverage.

4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance—or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the costs—your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) can step in and cover your medical expenses. UM/UIM coverage is an optional add-on, and it can cover:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering (in some cases)

If you live in a state where UM/UIM coverage is required or have opted to add it to your policy, it can provide significant protection in case you’re hit by an underinsured or uninsured driver.

5. Health Insurance

In addition to your auto insurance, health insurance can also cover medical expenses related to a car accident. If you have health insurance, it may cover hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and treatments. In some cases, your auto insurance will act as secondary insurance, covering costs that health insurance doesn’t (such as co-pays and deductibles).

It’s important to check with both your health insurance provider and your auto insurance company to understand how they coordinate in the event of an accident.

6. Workers’ Compensation (If Applicable)

If the accident happens while you’re working—say, you’re driving for a job or running errands for your employer—workers’ compensation could cover your medical expenses. Workers’ comp covers on-the-job injuries, including medical bills and lost wages. However, this is typically a separate policy from auto insurance and would only apply if the accident was work-related.

What’s Not Covered by Auto Insurance?

While auto insurance can cover a lot of medical expenses, there are some things it generally won’t cover:

• Pain and suffering: Auto insurance typically doesn’t cover emotional distress or physical pain from an accident (unless you file a separate personal injury lawsuit).
• Lost wages: While PIP and some other coverages help with lost wages, standard auto insurance doesn’t typically cover lost income due to injury unless you have PIP.
• Non-medical expenses: Other costs, like property damage to your car, repairs, or rental car fees, aren’t covered under medical expenses but would fall under different types of coverage, like collision or comprehensive insurance.

How to Ensure You’re Covered

If you’re concerned about coverage for medical expenses, here are a few tips:

• Review your policy: Make sure you understand what types of coverage are included and whether MedPay or PIP is part of your policy.
• Consider adding MedPay or PIP: If you don’t have them, adding these coverages can help cover medical bills and provide peace of mind in case of an accident.
• Check your health insurance: Review how your health insurance works with your auto insurance to make sure you’re fully protected.
• Get uninsured motorist coverage: If you haven’t already, consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy for added protection.

Final Thoughts

Auto insurance can help cover medical expenses after an accident, but the extent of the coverage depends on the type of policy you have. MedPay and PIP provide coverage for your own medical bills, while Bodily Injury Liability helps cover others’ expenses if you’re at fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and your health insurance can also provide important protection.

By understanding your policy and making sure you have the right coverage, you can ensure you’re financially prepared if an accident happens. Be sure to review your options and speak with your insurance agent to make sure you’re getting the best coverage for your needs.