As you can imagine, auto accident lawyers who have been in the business as long as we have hear a lot of questions about how to navigate different types of auto insurance coverage. We’ve noticed that one type of insurance coverage in particular, MedPay, is under-utilized in Lafayette and Metairie, mostly because not many people fully understand what it is.
This article breaks down what MedPay is, how it can help you after a car wreck, and whether it’s coverage you need in Louisiana.
What Is MedPay?
Medical payments coverage, often abbreviated to MedPay, Med Pay, or Med-Pay, is optional insurance coverage that covers medical expenses resulting from a car wreck, such as:
- Hospital and ambulance fees
- Doctors’ appointments
- Prescription medications
- Medical supplies and equipment, such as a wheelchair
- X-rays, MRIs, and lab tests
- Rehabilitation costs
MedPay claims also cover funeral costs in the case of fatalities resulting from an accident.
MedPay is first-party insurance, which means that you would have to file a claim with your own auto insurance company, regardless of which driver was at fault. MedPay covers:
- The insurance holder
- The insurance holder’s passengers (this means that even if you were a passenger in someone else’s car, you may be able to file a MedPay claim with your driver’s insurance company)
Your MedPay insurance may also cover you if you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle if they don’t have MedPay coverage.
MedPay Vs. Other Types of Auto Insurance
People often confuse MedPay with other types of insurance, and it’s easy to see why. Although it shares many similarities with other coverage types, there are a few key differences.
Liability Insurance
Louisiana drivers are required to carry liability insurance that pays up to $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple people in a single accident, and $25,000 for vehicle or property damage. Because liability settlements are paid by the at-fault driver, it’s necessary to prove fault in liability claims, unlike MedPay.
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection is optional and covers you if you’re in a car wreck with an at-fault driver who is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your accident-related expenses. It also covers you as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Uninsured Motorist coverage usually has much higher payout limits than MedPay, but it can take a long time to get a settlement because you have to prove fault and reach the at-fault driver’s liability limits before you are compensated.
Do I Need MedPay if I Have Health Insurance?
If you have health insurance, you might assume that paying for MedPay coverage would be redundant. However, it all depends on your health insurance plan. MedPay might offer excellent supplemental protection in the case of a car wreck, such as co-pays, which may not be covered by your health insurance.
Keep in mind that you may have to pay back both MedPay and health insurance settlements if you receive another type of settlement for the same accident.
Filing a MedPay Claim in Louisiana
As with personal injury settlements, the exact process and settlement timeline for a MedPay claim will vary based on your specific set of circumstances.
Hiring an experienced auto accident lawyer can help limit the amount of pushback you get from your insurance company, resulting in a speedier fairer settlement resolution.
Get Help from Louisiana Auto Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in a car accident? Our team of auto accident lawyers with offices in Metairie and Lafayette can help. We’ll make sure you file the right type of insurance claim for your situation as well as walk you through the process of negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
To discuss your case and get a free consultation, contact us any time.