By Raechel Fraser | Staff Attorney | Burlington / Mount Vernon Office
Drivers have an obligation to follow the rules of the road to make sure that their passengers, others using the road, and they themselves are staying safe. However, sometimes car accidents can still occur despite attention to road safety, and it remains pertinent that drivers understand different kinds of insurance that can protect them and their families in case of a driving accident.
While there are many types of coverage that drivers can purchase in case of an automobile accident, this blog will focus on the main difference between medical payments coverage (MedPay) and personal injury protection (PIP).
What Does MedPay Cover?
MedPay is an additional item you can include on your car insurance policy, and it covers medical expenses from accidents, regardless of who is at fault. The MedPay policy can cover expenses such as:
- Medical payments, deductibles, and co-pays
- Doctor and hospital visits
- Dental work
- Ambulances
- Surgeries
- Chiropractic appointments
- Funeral expenses
MedPay is different from regular health insurance because it not only covers your injuries, but it can cover anyone injured in the accident, including passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Medpay can also function as your primary insurance during an accident and is most commonly used in urban areas with high pedestrian foot traffic.
What is PIP and How Does it Work?
PIP, personal injury protection, is another car insurance add-on that car owners can buy to help protect them if they get injured on the road. While, both PIP and MedPay provide no-fault coverage, the main difference between PIP and MedPay, is that in addition to covering medical expenses from accidents, PIP can cover additional costs, in the event that the injuries from the car accident cannot be fully covered by MedPay.
PIP can cover costs such as:
- Lost income due to being unable to work after the injury
- Psychiatric treatments
- Services to assist with child care and cleaning
- Rehabilitation for the injury
Due to its extensive coverage ability, PIP is considered more of a comprehensive insurance plan than MedPay and is required in many states, while MedPay is required in two states. PIP helps protect drivers by giving them the most amount of protection when faced with a life-altering car accident.
When deciding on what insurance coverage to get it is important to consult with experts and learn how each insurance plan can protect you and your family in the event of a worst-case scenario situation.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is recommended to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to take a look at what your insurance can cover.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
GLP attorneys are here to help you navigate your insurance coverage after a car accident. As you are healing from car accident injuries, we will ensure that you are also able to feel financially secure. Personal injury cases from an automobile accident injury can be complex, and you must understand the variety of different liability and insurance coverage issues that may apply to your case, including Medpay or Personal Injury Protection coverage. If you think that someone was at fault in causing a collision that you, a family member or a friend were involved in, you should have the facts of your claim reviewed by a lawyer as soon as possible.
If you have been involved in an automobile collision, please call 800.273.5005 or email our personal injury attorneys at for a free initial consultation. One of our skilled attorneys will be able to tell you whether you might be able to collect damages.
