What is medical payments coverage?

Medical payments coverage (Med Pay) helps pay medical and funeral expenses when a covered person — the policyholder, passengers, or a member of the policyholder's family — is hurt in an auto accident, no matter who is responsible.

What does Med Pay cover?

Here are some examples when medical payments will help pay for medical or funeral expenses caused by an auto accident:

  • You're hurt when you accidentally hit another car while driving through a parking lot
  • Your spouse is injured when hit by a car while walking across the street
  • Your child is hurt in an accident while a passenger in a friend's car

What does Med Pay not cover?

Here are some examples when medical payments will not pay for medical or funeral expenses caused by an auto accident:

  • Injury expenses in excess of your policy’s coverage amount
  • Damage done to vehicles or other property
  • Injuries to the driver and passengers in another vehicle sustained in an accident for which you are at fault. (There is separate bodily injury liability coverage available for this)

Coverage in action

Let’s say you’re driving and get rear-ended by another car. If one of your passengers complains of neck pain from the accident, medical payments can help cover treatment expenses.

How much Med Pay should you have?

Most states don't require it, and if you have health insurance, consider if it’s worth adding to your auto policy.

  • Unlike health insurance, there are no deductibles or co-payments with medical payments coverage.
  • It starts paying with the first dollar of incurred expenses and pays regardless of who's responsible for the accident.
  • It will also pay for expenses that your health insurance may not, such as chiropractic visits or an ambulance ride.
  • It’s comparatively inexpensive. Many policyholders find they can add coverage for $5 to $8 per month.footnote 1 The cost goes up with higher coverage limits, of course.

Frequently asked questions about Med Pay

Medical payments coverage can help pay for medical or funeral expenses caused by an auto accident, regardless of fault, if you or a family member are injured as the driver, a passenger, a pedestrian or while riding in another person’s vehicle.

Medical payment coverage pays your medical expenses from an accident no matter who is at fault. When you’re in an auto accident and are deemed to be the party “at fault,” liability car insurance, or liability coverage, helps pay for costs associated to injuries for which you are legally liable.

A typical medical payments plan will not pay for lost wages regardless of how you were injured but will help pay for medical expenses that arise from an auto accident no matter if you were walking, riding a bike or in a car.

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Related insurance coverages

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return to reference 1 Applies only in states where medical payments coverage is an available coverage.

Please remember that the preceding descriptions contain only a general description of available coverages and are not a statement of contract. All coverages are subject to all policy provisions and applicable endorsements. Coverage options may vary by state. To learn more about auto insurance coverage in your state, contact your State Farm agent.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
State Farm Indemnity Company
Bloomington, IL

State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas
Richardson, TX