Medical payments coverage is an optional vehicle insurance policy that pays for expenditures incurred as a result of a car accident. It protects you and any passengers in your car, any pedestrians you may harm, and you if you are a passenger in another vehicle or are injured by a vehicle while walking, biking, or taking public transportation.
MedPay covers a wide range of costs associated with injuries sustained in a car accident. It covers medical expenses including doctor and hospital visits, X-rays and surgery, ambulance and emergency medical technician costs, rehabilitation and nursing care, and some medical equipment like prostheses.
Even if you have a no-fault vehicle insurance policy, it will not cover you if you cause an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In this situation, only MedPay would cover your medical expenses.
MedPay vs. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal injury protection (PIP) is required in no-fault states and optional in others. However, MedPay is optional in all but a few states (Maine and New Hampshire). PIP covers most of the same injuries and medical treatments that MedPay does, but it generally has greater limits and covers a broader variety of accident-related concerns. For example, it has medical payment provisions for psychiatric and rehabilitative care, plus lost wages, which MedPay does not.
When buying vehicle insurance, people should consider whether they need MedPay and if they are obliged to get PIP coverage. In certain cases, having both can be beneficial. If you have reached your PIP limit on medical bills, you will have to pay the rest yourself, and MedPay may help you do that. Overall, PIP covers more than MedPay, and in some states, you can't have both at the same time.
While you cannot predict road accidents, you can make sure you have a tried and tested protection for you and your loved ones in place. Just insure it and enjoy your drive.
