StateCover Guide
Glossary

Medical payments coverage (MedPay)

By Editorial team, last reviewed

Quick answer

Medical payments coverage, usually called MedPay, pays medical costs from a car accident for you, your family and other people in your car, regardless of who was at fault. It pays up to the limit shown on your policy.

How it works

  • Who is covered. You, household members and passengers in your car. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that it also pays if you are hurt while riding in someone else's car or while walking or biking.
  • What it pays. Medical bills from the accident, up to your per-person limit.
  • What it does not pay. MedPay is narrower than personal injury protection (PIP). Texas describes PIP as similar, but PIP also pays lost wages and other nonmedical costs.
  • Fault does not matter. Because it pays regardless of fault, MedPay can cover bills quickly, before anyone decides who caused the crash.

Example: your passenger has $3,000 in emergency room bills and your MedPay limit is $5,000 per person. MedPay can pay the $3,000, leaving $2,000 of that person's limit for later treatment from the same accident.

Whether MedPay is optional, required or not offered depends on your state and its fault system. In no-fault states, PIP is the main coverage for your own injuries. Check your state's rules or ask a licensed agent how MedPay fits with your health insurance.

Sources

Last reviewed by the StateCover Guide editorial team. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.