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What Is MedPay?

Understanding Coverage: Part 4

Key Takeaways

  • Explains what MedPay is, what medical payments coverage usually helps pay for and who may be covered after a covered auto accident.
  • Shows how MedPay compares with PIP, health insurance and liability coverage so readers can understand where it fits in an auto policy.
  • Helps readers think through whether medical payments coverage may make sense based on their state, health plan and budget.
  • Answers common questions about coverage limits, reimbursement and when MedPay may be worth considering.

After an auto accident, medical bills can add up fast. Medical payments coverage¹ – often called MedPay – helps cover those costs for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the crash. If you're comparing injury coverages for your policy, understanding MedPay and how it works can help you decide whether it belongs in your overall car insurance policy.

Quick takeaway: MedPay is a type of auto coverage that may help pay medical expenses for you and your passengers after a covered accident, regardless of fault. It’s usually more limited than personal injury protection (PIP), but it can still be valuable if you want help with out-of-pocket medical costs. If you're comparing car insurance coverage options, MedPay is one type of coverage worth understanding.

What does MedPay cover?

MedPay, also known as medical payments coverage or medical expense insurance, helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. MedPay can also cover you and your household members if you’re struck and injured by an auto as a pedestrian. Some examples of what MedPay insurance coverage may help with include:

  • Health insurance deductibles and co-pays
  • Doctor visits
  • Hospital visits or stays
  • Ambulance fees
  • Funeral expenses
  • Surgery, X-rays and dental procedures²
MedPay may help coverMedPay usually does not cover
Doctor visits, ambulance fees and hospital care after a covered accidentDamage to your vehicle
Health insurance deductibles and co-pays related to covered injuriesDamage to someone else’s vehicle or property
Certain funeral expensesBroader nonmedical benefits that may be available under PIP
Medical expenses for passengers in your vehicleMedical care unrelated to a covered accident

Who can MedPay apply to?

MedPay covers more than just the driver of the vehicle. Depending on your policy and state, it may apply to:

  • You as the policyholder
  • Passengers in your covered vehicle
  • You or household members, as described by the policy, if struck by an auto as pedestrians

Because eligibility can vary by state and policy, it’s a good idea to review your policy details carefully. You can also compare MedPay with personal injury protection if you want to understand how different injury-related coverages may apply.

Do you need MedPay coverage?

In most states, MedPay is optional and not required by law, though some states require comparable medical expense coverage. If you reject medical payments coverage, you may be required to complete a form confirming that choice. Whether you need MedPay often depends on your health insurance, your budget and how much out-of-pocket expense you could handle after an accident.

For example, if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan, medical payments coverage may help with the deductible or other out-of-pocket costs if you or your household members are injured in an accident. If you don’t have health insurance, MedPay may be worth considering for added financial protection.

When MedPay may be worth considering

  • You have a high health insurance deductible
  • You want help with co-pays or other out-of-pocket medical costs after an accident
  • You regularly drive with passengers3
  • You want a simpler medical coverage option than PIP where available
  • You do not have health insurance or have limited coverage

If you’re reviewing your overall protection, “How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?” can help you think through your broader coverage choices.

What are the limits of medical payments coverage?

When adding MedPay to your auto policy, you choose a coverage limit, which can affect your premium. A typical personal auto policy may offer medical payments coverage limits anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000. In states that require medical payments coverage, the minimum required limit may be higher than $1,000. The limit you choose is the maximum amount available for each person injured in any one accident.

What to know about MedPay limitsWhy it matters
When available, you can choose your MedPay limit when adding coverageHigher limits may provide more protection, but can affect premium
The limit applies per person injured in one accidentThis helps define the maximum available reimbursement for each covered person
Availability and minimums can vary by stateYour options may depend on the state in which your policy is written

How do I get reimbursed for a medical payments coverage claim?

To get reimbursed for a medical payments claim, you can work with your claim handler, who can guide you through the process. Medical records and bills will likely need to be provided by you or the provider. The claim handler will review the documents submitted and provide reimbursement as coverage and policy limits apply.

If you want a broader overview of the claims process, you can also read “How to File an Auto Insurance Claim”.

MedPay vs. PIP

PIP (personal injury protection)¹ is another type of auto insurance coverage that can help pay for medical expenses resulting from a covered loss. PIP is typically considered more comprehensive than MedPay because it can extend beyond medical bills. PIP may also help with costs such as lost income if you’re unable to work due to injury, rehabilitation, psychiatric treatment, physical or occupational therapy and more from a covered loss.

Like MedPay, PIP is required in some states and not required or available in others, so be sure to discuss with your insurance provider which coverage or coverages are available or required in your state.

CoverageWhat it generally helps coverWhat to keep in mind
MedPayMedical expenses for you and your passengers resulting from a covered auto accidentUsually focused on medical costs rather than broader accident-related expenses
PIPMedical expenses and, in many cases, broader benefits like lost income or essential services from a covered auto accidentAvailability and requirements vary by state

For a fuller overview of PIP, visit “Is Personal Injury Protection Worth It?”

How MedPay compares with other car insurance coverages

MedPay is only one part of an auto policy. It can help to compare it with related coverages so you know what each one is meant to do.

Coverage typePrimary purposeExample
MedPayHelps with medical expenses for you and your passengers after a covered accident2You need ambulance transport and follow-up care after a crash
Liability coverageHelps pay for bodily injury or property damage you cause to others for which you are legally responsibleYou cause an accident that injures another driver and damages their vehicle
Collision coverageHelps with damage to your vehicle after a crash with another vehicle or objectYou back into a pole and damage your car
Comprehensive coverageHelps with non-collision damage to your vehicleHail damages your parked car

To explore those related protections, see “What Is Auto Liability Insurance?”, "What Is Collision Insurance?" and "What Is Comprehensive Insurance?"

Because MedPay varies by state, it's important to understand what type of coverage is available to you and whether you need to carry it. An Amica representative can explain MedPay requirements in your state and help you review available car insurance coverages.

To extend your protection even further, explore “Roadside Assistance” for roadside emergencies. You can also review “Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage” and “How Do Car Insurance Deductibles Work?” as you build out your policy.

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FAQs about MedPay

Medical payments coverage is a type of no-fault auto coverage that may help reimburse accident-related medical expenses such as doctor visits, ambulance fees, hospital care and certain other medical costs. Often, medical payments coverage is called MedPay.

No. MedPay and PIP can both help with medical expenses, but PIP is typically broader and may also include benefits like lost wages or essential services, depending on the state and policy.

Yes, MedPay may help cover passengers in your vehicle after a covered accident, subject to your policy terms and limits.

It may. MedPay can help with health insurance deductibles and co-pays tied to covered accident-related medical care.

Maybe. Even with health insurance, MedPay may still be useful if you have a high deductible, co-pays or other out-of-pocket expenses after an accident.

It depends on the state. In many states MedPay is optional, while in others it may be required or offered with specific rules.

The right limit depends on your budget, your health insurance and how much out-of-pocket medical expense you’d want help covering after an accident.

Read the rest of our 5-part “Understanding Coverage” series:

Coverage may vary by state and policy.

In some states, MedPay insurance may also cover wage loss.

MedPay insurance does not apply to passengers as part of a transportation network platform

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

This inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statement herein (“Third-Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third-Party Content expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third-Party Content.

This content may contain helpful tips, explanation and advice. Your use of this information is voluntary and may not be effective in every circumstance. Amica encourages you to use good judgment and put safety first.

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