Last Updated October 2025
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay) helps pay for your medical expenses after a car accident, no matter who was at fault.
- It can help cover costs like ambulance fees, hospital visits, surgery, rehabilitation and funeral expenses.
- MedPay may extend to passengers in your car and, in some cases, to you if you’re hit as a pedestrian or bicyclist.
- It differs from liability insurance (which is meant to cover others you injure) and personal injury protection (which may also cover lost wages and services).
- MedPay is optional in most states and can help cover deductibles or co-pays not included in your health insurance.
Medical payments coverage — often called MedPay — is an optional part of an auto insurance policy that can help you pay for medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, no matter who was at fault. It may also extend to you as a pedestrian or bicyclist if you’re hit by a car.
This coverage is designed to provide prompt help with medical costs, often without waiting for fault to be determined, which can make it a valuable addition to your auto policy.
Learn more about full car insurance coverage
What to know about medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage can help pay for reasonable medical expenses after a car accident, such as emergency care, hospital visits, surgery, X-rays and rehabilitation. Unlike some types of car insurance coverage, MedPay typically applies regardless of fault.
Key points to know:
- MedPay is available in many states but not all — check with your state’s insurance department.
- Coverage is usually offered in set dollar amounts, such as $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000.
- MedPay applies to drivers, passengers and sometimes pedestrians or cyclists injured in an accident.
What does medical payments coverage include?
Here are some examples of what MedPay may cover, depending on your policy, your insurer and your chosen policy limit:
- Ambulance and emergency room fees
- Hospital stays and surgical procedures
- Doctor visits and follow-up care
- Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRIs
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Funeral expenses
- Coverage for passengers in your car
- Coverage if you’re hit as a pedestrian or cyclist
Important note: MedPay is not a substitute for health insurance. Instead, it can help fill gaps by covering deductibles or co-pays from your health plan.
How does medical payments coverage differ from other types of coverage?
Medical payments coverage is often confused with other types of auto insurance coverage. Here’s how it compares:
| Coverage Type | What it does | Who it covers | Fault required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Helps pay medical expenses from a car accident | You, passengers, sometimes pedestrians/bicyclists | No | Pays regardless of fault; limited by set dollar amounts |
| Bodily injury liability | Helps pay for injuries you cause to other drivers, their passengers or pedestrians | Injured parties other than you or your passengers | Yes | Required in almost all states |
| Bodily injury liability | Helps cover medical expenses and may include lost wages, child care or household services | You, passengers, sometimes pedestrians/bicyclists | No | Required in “no-fault” states; broader than MedPay |
What about uninsured motorist coverage?
Unlike MedPay, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage only applies if another driver is at fault and can’t cover your injuries. It may help with medical expenses — and more — but it’s not an equivalent of MedPay. Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage.
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How to manage medical payments coverage claims
Filing a MedPay claim usually doesn’t require establishing fault, which can speed up reimbursement. If you need to file a claim under MedPay, here are steps to help the process go smoothly:
- Seek medical care immediately after an accident and keep all records.
- Notify your insurer promptly that you’ll be filing a MedPay claim.
- Gather documentation, including:
- Accident report (if available)
- Medical bills and receipts
- Health insurance statements (if applicable)
- Proof of funeral or rehabilitation costs (if relevant)
- Submit your claim with supporting documents.
- Follow up with your insurer for status updates and to confirm reimbursement timelines.
Frequently asked questions about medical payments coverage
Is medical payments coverage required?
No. Unlike liability insurance, MedPay is optional in most states.
Do I need MedPay if I already have health insurance?
It depends. MedPay can help you pay deductibles or co-pays your health plan doesn’t cover, and it extends coverage to passengers.
How much coverage should I choose?
Consider your health insurance deductible and typical medical costs. For example, if your health insurance has a $5,000 deductible, you may want at least that much in MedPay coverage.
The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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