When you purchase auto insurance in Virginia, there are several types of coverage on the policy that are optional. One of these is Medical Expense Benefit or Medical Payments Coverage also know as Med-Pay coverage. Medical Expense Benefit (Med-Pay) Payments coverage is a "first party coverage" which you may purchase in addition to the basic liability coverage when you insure your vehicle. Medical Payments coverage pays for your medical expenses as long as the treatment was for an injury involving a motor vehicle. By law, the medical payment coverage will pay, up to the limit of the coverage, for those expenses incurred for services rendered within three (3) years from the date of the accident. It applies to
• anyone who may be occupying your vehicle with permission
• if you are struck by an automobile while as a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or even as a passenger in someone else's car or on a motorcycle.
• pays regardless of who is at fault or any other insurance coverage that may applies to the same expenses. So even if you are driving down the road, fall asleep at the wheel, run off the road and hit a tree, medical payments coverage will pay your medical expenses for any injuries you sustain.
Medical Expense Payments coverage is good to have and to use for a lot of reasons:
1st - Auto accidents are the most common cause of serious injuries in the United States today.
2nd - Many times health insurance has deductibles or co-pays, so that you may still owe a significant amount after health insurance pays their part . Medical payments coverage will help pay most or all of that, so that you don't end up having to pay out of your pocket.
3rd - Medical payments coverage is relatively inexpensive. Often a limit of five to ten thousand dollars may cost less than fifty dollars a year.
4th - Fourth, medical payments coverage covers not only you but your spouse and children who live with you also.
5th - The at Fault insurance company and/or Third Party adjuster must reimburse for you for all your accident related medical expenses bills regardless of the Collateral Source used to pay for the care (e.g cash, credit card, Med-Pay or Health Insurance)
6th - Using your Medical Expense coverage will not increase your auto insurance premium if you did not cause the accident
Check your auto insurance policy to see if you have medial payments coverage. If you don't, then discuss purchasing this coverage with your insurance agent. You can add this coverage at any time. More information on Med-Pay can be found here.