Medical Payments Coverage vs Bodily Injury
Medical payments coverage pays for your own injuries regardless of fault. Bodily injury liability pays for injuries you cause to someone else.
They cover different people in different situations
Medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, pays medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident, no matter who caused it. Bodily injury liability pays for injuries to other people when you're the one at fault. One protects you, the other protects your liability toward others.
Most drivers carry both because they serve different purposes. Bodily injury is required in most states because it protects other people from the cost of a crash you cause. MedPay is optional in most places and fills a gap that health insurance doesn't always cover right away, like the ambulance ride or the emergency room copay before your health plan kicks in.
Whether you have other health coverage changes how much MedPay matters
If you already have solid health insurance, MedPay mostly helps with the parts health insurance is slow to pay or doesn't pay at all, like a deductible or a copay right after the crash. It pays quickly and it doesn't ask who caused the accident.
If you don't have health insurance, or your coverage has a high deductible, MedPay matters more. It can be the only thing paying your medical bills in the weeks right after a crash, while a liability claim against the other driver is still being sorted out.
Bodily injury doesn't work this way at all. It only pays when you're found at fault, and it only pays the other driver and their passengers. Your own medical bills are never paid by your bodily injury coverage.
Your state decides how much bodily injury you're required to carry
Every state sets its own minimum for bodily injury liability, and that minimum is often too low to cover a serious injury claim. Carrying more than the state minimum is something to ask your insurer or agent about, especially if you have savings or assets a lawsuit could reach.
MedPay isn't required in most states, and in some states it isn't offered at all. A few states use personal injury protection instead, which works differently and usually covers more than medical bills. Ask your insurer which of these applies where you live before assuming you have one or the other.
A common mistake is assuming MedPay and bodily injury overlap. They don't. You can have high bodily injury limits and still have no coverage for your own injuries if you skip MedPay or PIP.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need MedPay if I already have health insurance?
You can still benefit from it even with health insurance. MedPay often pays faster and covers costs your health plan leaves to you, like a deductible or copay right after a crash. Whether it's worth adding is worth asking your insurer, since the cost is usually modest.
Does MedPay cover my passengers?
Yes, MedPay generally covers you and anyone riding in your car at the time of the accident. It can also cover you if you're a passenger in someone else's car or struck as a pedestrian. Check your policy for exactly who is included.
What happens if I'm in an accident with no bodily injury coverage?
Driving without the state's required bodily injury coverage can mean fines, a suspended license, or being personally responsible for another driver's medical bills. The specific consequences are set by your state, so check with your state's DMV or insurance department for what applies to you.
Can I use MedPay and still sue the other driver?
MedPay pays your bills regardless of fault, and it doesn't stop you from pursuing a claim against the other driver separately. How any later settlement affects what you keep can depend on your state and your policy, so ask your insurer or an attorney if a claim is involved.
Is PIP the same as MedPay?
No, personal injury protection usually covers more than MedPay, including lost wages in addition to medical bills. Some states require PIP instead of allowing MedPay as an option. Ask your insurer which one your state uses and what it includes.
See what it would cost to add or raise either coverage on your policy.
Pull out your current policy and check whether you have MedPay or PIP listed at all, and what your bodily injury limits are. Call your insurer or agent and ask what the state minimum is where you live and how your current limits compare. Ask specifically whether MedPay is available in your state if you don't already have it. If you have significant savings or own your home, ask what it would cost to raise your bodily injury limits above the state minimum. Bring any renewal notice with you so you can compare your current limits against what's being offered.
