(800) 253-1482What Is Medical Payments Coverage in Missouri?
Summary: Medical payments coverage (MedPay) offers essential protection by covering your medical expenses after an accident, even if you’re at fault. Unlike liability insurance, which only covers others, MedPay helps with your costs—including ambulance fees, co-pays, and chiropractic care—even if you're a pedestrian. MedPay offers flexible coverage limits as an affordable way to protect against rising healthcare costs and potential legal issues. For more serious injuries, personal injury protection (PIP) is also available for extra coverage. Estimated Read Time: 4 mins
Car accidents can bring a range of expenses, especially when it comes to medical bills for both drivers and passengers. Medical payments coverage (MedPay) is designed to help with these costs—even if you’re at fault.
Unlike liability coverage, which only covers the medical bills of others, MedPay steps in to help with your own healthcare expenses.
Without it, you could be left paying out of pocket for your medical costs after an accident.
Furthermore, if you’re also responsible for the medical bills of passengers, you could face legal action if you are unable to pay them.
However, adding medical payments coverage to your auto insurance is an affordable way to prepare for these costs.
Medical Payments Coverage Missouri Facts
Adding medical payments coverage to your Missouri auto insurance policy helps in different ways, as there are flexible options with policy limits ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
This allows you to choose a level of protection that best suits your needs.
MedPay has the advantage of covering you even if you’re at fault in an accident and also provides coverage if you or your family are injured as pedestrians or cyclists, adding an extra layer of protection.
What’s Covered
MedPay can cover expenses not typically included in health insurance, like deductibles, co-pays, ambulance fees, and chiropractic care.
Your protection also covers your injuries if the other driver is uninsured, adding extra protection.
As "no-fault" coverage, medical payments coverage applies regardless of who’s at fault in the accident.
It follows you wherever you go, whether you’re in someone else’s car or even just walking or biking.
Another perk is that MedPay payments are made promptly, even if your accident claim is still in progress—it also has no deductible so you receive a larger reimbursement.
What’s Not Covered
Medical payments coverage has certain exclusions and limits on what it will pay, which includes medical or funeral expenses that exceed your policy’s coverage limit—any costs beyond that amount will be out-of-pocket.
Remember, MedPay only applies to personal injury expenses, not vehicle or property damage.
Furthermore, while it’s nice to have, adding medical payments coverage to your auto insurance isn’t a substitute for bodily injury liability coverage.
PIP Coverage
MedPay may help with doctor visits and consultations, but it won’t cover everything, particularly, when it comes to more serious injuries.
Policy limits could still lead to some out-of-pocket expenses for costlier medical procedures.
In cases of severe injury where you’re at fault, additional personal injury protection coverage might also be necessary.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage isn’t available everywhere but it is for drivers in Missouri making it a valuable consideration for protecting your finances.
Although MedPay is similar to personal injury protection, it has a narrower scope, focusing on medical expenses alone, making it a practical choice for those looking to keep costs down.
For those wanting broader protection, PIP may be the better option, but MedPay offers a more affordable alternative, especially for those on a budget.
MedPay is perfect for handling sudden, spontaneous medical expenses that could otherwise become overwhelming.
Overall, medical payments coverage is a valuable addition for anyone seeking a straightforward, cost-effective way to boost their medical coverage without a significant increase in insurance premiums.
Is Medical Payment Coverage Needed for Auto Insurance in MO?
Medical payments coverage is essential for covering the medical bills of you and your passengers after an accident but it’s not mandatory through Missouri law.
With the rising costs of healthcare, medical expenses following even minor accidents can easily climb into the thousands per person.
Medical payments coverage can also offer a safeguard if you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, ensuring you won’t shoulder the full financial burden.
Again, while this coverage isn’t mandatory in Missouri, it’s highly recommended.
Bodily injury claims can exceed $25,000, underscoring the importance of having adequate coverage as medical costs continue to rise.
Having medical payments coverage gives you added financial security for both yourself and your passengers—especially if you might struggle to cover large medical bills out of pocket.
Even minor accidents can bring significant expenses, making this coverage a worthwhile investment for nearly any driver. Those without extensive health insurance may find it especially valuable.
Car Insurance Medical Payments Coverage vs. Bodily Injury in Missouri
Missouri requires all drivers to carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage, however, this only compensates others if you’re at fault—it doesn’t cover your medical bills.
To pay for your own medical expenses after an at-fault accident, you’ll need either health insurance or medical payments coverage.
MedPay steps in to handle your medical bills in case of an accident, offering crucial support when you need it most.
By adding medical payments coverage, you gain an extra layer of financial protection that bodily injury liability alone can’t provide.
