Does my car insurance cover my medical expenses after an accident?

Injuries in an accident can be expensive, but car insurance can cover them in many situations. The types of medical coverage available with car insurance vary depending on the state and the car insurance company, and the average cost of car insurance is $147 per month.

Does your car insurance cover your medical expenses after an accident? Read on for more information about the types of car insurance that could cover medical expenses.

Does my car insurance cover my medical expenses after an accident?

In many cases, car insurance covers medical expenses after an accident. There are a variety of options available:

Liability Car Insurance for Medical Expenses After an Accident

Most areas of the United States require liability insurance. In every state, drivers are financially responsible for any injuries they cause in a car accident. Liability insurance won’t pay for your injuries, but it can cover those of your passengers and others involved in an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Medical Expenses After an Accident

If you have an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver who doesn’t have the liability insurance needed, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can help. Without collision coverage, your insurance company may not pay for medical expenses and repairs if the accident was the other driver’s fault.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage keeps you from filing a lawsuit to get compensation from the person who caused the accident. Some of the best uninsured motorist coverage car insurance companies are GEICO and State Farm, and this coverage costs an average of $5.50 per month.

Read more: Does my car insurance cover damage caused by an uninsured driver if I have collision coverage?

Collision Car Insurance for Medical Expenses After an Accident

Collision insurance usually doesn’t cover injuries. However, medical coverage is included with all car insurance in states that require personal injury protection.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for Medical Expenses After an Accident

In some states, car insurance requirements mean drivers need personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical costs.

People use this insurance to take care of their medical expenses or the costs of passengers after an accident, and liability coverage only pays for property damage. PIP can also pay for lost wages while a person recovers from an injury.

Medical Payments Coverage for Medical Expenses After an Accident

Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, is available in states without PIP and is mandatory in Maine and Wisconsin. MedPay can pay for medical bills but not lost wages.

How are no-fault and at-fault states different?

In no-fault states, the person who causes an accident is responsible for repair expenses for other drivers, and liability insurance covers most of these expenses. If you have collision insurance, it will also take care of any repairs you need.

However, liability and collision insurance don’t usually cover medical costs because drivers must have PIP. In most cases, everyone is responsible for their medical expenses. However, if one of your passengers sustains an injury, your PIP can also cover their costs.

In at-fault states, liability insurance pays for the injuries of others if you have an accident and it’s your fault. With some insurance companies, your collision insurance can pay for some expenses if you have an injury.

However, car insurance won’t cover medical costs in many at-fault states if you cause an accident. If you want coverage, adding medical payments insurance is a good idea.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Medical Expenses After an Accident

Case Study 1: Comprehensive Coverage Provides Peace of Mind

Emily had comprehensive car insurance coverage that included liability and personal injury protection (PIP). When she was involved in an accident and required medical treatment, her car insurance covered her medical expenses up to the policy limits. She didn’t have to worry about the high costs of medical bills and could focus on her recovery.

Case Study 2: Limited Liability Coverage

John had basic liability car insurance that did not include personal injury protection. Unfortunately, he was injured in an accident caused by another driver. Since his car insurance did not cover his medical expenses, he had to rely on his health insurance to pay for the treatment. He realized the importance of having adequate car insurance coverage for medical expenses.

Case Study 3: Uninsured Motorist Coverage Saves the Day

Lisa was hit by an uninsured motorist and suffered severe injuries. Fortunately, she had uninsured motorist coverage as part of her car insurance policy. This coverage helped cover her medical expenses and provided financial support during her recovery. Without this additional coverage, she would have been responsible for all the medical costs on her own.

Car Insurance for Medical Expenses After an Accident: The Bottom Line

Even with health insurance, medical bills can be very high. However, car insurance coverage for medical expenses after an accident can help you avoid high costs for yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in an accident that was your fault.

To select a policy that can protect you, compare car insurance options carefully.