When you are purchasing car insurance in Indiana, you will be offered several types of optional coverage. It is important that you understand what these options are in order to determine if the coverage is worth the money. One of these options is medical payment coverage. Simply put, this coverage will pay medical expenses for injuries sustained in an accident in your own car. Our Indianapolis car accident lawyer adds that the coverage also extends to any passengers in your car.
Why Would I Need Medical Payments Coverage If I Have Other Insurance?
When you are injured in a car accident, there could be several sources of compensation for medical bills. If the crash was the fault of another driver, his insurance policy should pay for your medical care. If his insurance is lacking or insufficient—or the crash was your own fault—you can file a claim against your own car insurance policy. Whether coming from another driver’s insurance or your own, the coverage will be limited to the amount of the policy. Indiana’s minimum coverage requirement for bodily harm is $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident). Medical bills for catastrophic injuries can easily exceed $25,000. After that, your health insurance—if you have it—should cover the rest of the medical costs.
The advantage of medical payment coverage is that it kicks in immediately to pay medical expenses, regardless of fault in the accident. If you are in a battle with your own or another insurance company for a fair settlement, this coverage could be essential to making ends meet. It will also cover any deductibles or uncovered expenses you have with your health insurance policy. And unlike health insurance, it will cover medical expenses for any passengers injured in your car.
What Bills Will Medical Payments Coverage Pay?
If you have purchased a medical payments policy, it will cover any and all medical expenses, including the following:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- X-rays
- EMT & ambulance fees
- Professional nursing service and care
- Prostheses
This coverage applies regardless of the fault of the parties and must be automatically paid if you present proof of medical expenses incurred as a result of an auto accident in which you were involved in your own vehicle.
