Jane Dotson
GEICO auto insurance offers a range of coverage options, including medical payments coverage, which is optional in some states and required in others. Medical payments coverage, also known as med pay, helps pay for medical bills resulting from injuries sustained in an auto accident. This coverage is typically optional and can be used regardless of fault, helping to pay for hospital bills, medical treatments, and funeral expenses. It applies to the insured and their relatives living in the same household, as well as passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident. GEICO also offers personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is available in \no-fault\ states and provides similar benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical payments coverage | Optional in some states, required in others |
| Who does it apply to? | You, all listed insureds, and your passengers |
| What does it cover? | Medical bills, including funeral expenses, resulting from injuries from an auto accident |
| What does it not cover? | Medical treatment not related to the accident, replacement services, medical expenses for any parties in other vehicles involved in the accident |
| How much coverage should you buy? | Depends on what medical coverage you may already have |
| How does it work? | You choose a limit when purchasing coverage, and GEICO will cover up to that limit for medical expenses |
What You'll Learn
Medical payments coverage
MedPay can be used to pay for a variety of medical expenses, including chiropractic services. It also provides coverage if you are injured in an accident while in someone else's vehicle or as a pedestrian. However, it does not cover medical treatment unrelated to the accident, replacement services such as housekeeping or childcare, or medical expenses for parties in other vehicles involved in the accident.
The amount of MedPay coverage you need depends on your individual needs and existing coverage. It is usually purchased in specific dollar amounts, and the limit you choose is the maximum amount available to each person covered. For example, if you have $1,000 in medical payments coverage and you and your two passengers are injured in an accident, each of you may have up to $1,000 to help pay for medical bills related to the accident.
While MedPay is optional in most states, it is required in others. It is important to check the laws and requirements of your state to determine if MedPay is necessary for your auto insurance policy.
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Personal injury protection coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is an auto insurance policy that helps pay for medical expenses and other costs resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP is available in "no-fault" states, while medical payments coverage is offered in states without "no-fault" laws. Some states offer both, while others provide only medical payments coverage in non-PIP states.
PIP coverage can be extended to the policyholder, their relatives living in the same home, and sometimes their passengers. The specific rules and limits of PIP coverage vary by state, and some states require drivers to carry PIP on their auto policy. PIP can help cover medical treatment costs, lost wages, and other expenses such as replacement services (e.g., housekeeping, yard work, childcare) that may arise due to injuries sustained in an accident.
In the state of Florida, insurance companies are required to pay 80% of an insured's reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 under the PIP Statute. However, there are two methods for determining what is "reasonable," and insurance companies are allowed to choose the calculation method, which can result in lower reimbursement rates for medical providers.
It is important to note that PIP is different from medical payments coverage (Med Pay). While both cover medical expenses, PIP may also cover additional costs such as lost wages and childcare for essential services. Medical payments coverage, on the other hand, is typically optional and helps pay for medical bills resulting from injuries sustained in an auto accident, regardless of fault.
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Uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is an additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy. Some states may require this coverage on your policy. If you're injured in a car accident by an uninsured driver (a driver with no car insurance) or, in some states, a hit-and-run driver, then Uninsured Motorist coverage could help pay for your expenses. GEICO offers two types of uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage (UMBI) and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage (UMPD).
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage (UMBI)
If you're injured by an uninsured driver, UMBI coverage typically provides compensation for expenses such as medical bills. Without UMBI coverage, you may be held responsible for paying your own medical expenses. UMBI may also help cover your other non-medical expenses, such as pain and suffering.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage (UMPD)
If your car is damaged by an uninsured motorist, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage provides coverage for repairs to your car. If your auto policy doesn't include UMPD coverage or Collision coverage, you would have to pay for the car repairs yourself or file a claim against the at-fault driver in court.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
In some states, Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is also available if you're in an accident with a driver whose insurance policy limits won't cover your vehicle damages or bodily injury expenses. UIM is broken into the same categories as UM: bodily injury and property damage.
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Collision coverage
When it comes to choosing a collision insurance deductible, it's important to consider your financial situation and potential out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident. The deductible is the amount you agree to pay before the insurance company starts paying for damages. A higher deductible typically results in lower premiums, but it means you'll be responsible for a larger portion of the repair costs. On the other hand, a lower deductible leads to higher premiums but reduces the amount you have to pay out of pocket after a collision.
Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers losses that are not collision-related, such as fire, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, natural disasters, falling objects, and hitting an animal. While collision coverage focuses on repairs to your vehicle due to accidents, comprehensive coverage protects against a broader range of non-collision incidents.
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Comprehensive coverage
The amount of comprehensive coverage you can get is based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. You will be responsible for paying your selected deductible, which is the amount you agree to pay before the insurance company starts paying for damages. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance cost, and vice versa.
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Frequently asked questions
GEICO auto insurance includes medical payments coverage (MedPay) which helps pay medical bills resulting from injuries sustained in an auto accident. This coverage is optional in some states and required in others.
Medical payments coverage includes hospital bills, medical treatments, and other related costs, including funeral expenses resulting from an accident. It covers you, your relatives living in your home, and passengers in your vehicle at the time of the accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Medical payments coverage does not include medical treatment not related to the accident, replacement services (e.g., housekeeping, yard work, childcare), and medical expenses for parties in other vehicles involved in the accident.
The amount of medical payments coverage you need depends on your specific situation. Consider your existing medical coverage, such as health insurance, and your potential short-term emergency medical costs. You can choose to buy medical payments coverage in specific dollar amounts.
PIP is available in “no-fault” states, while medical payments coverage is offered in states without “no-fault” laws. PIP may cover additional expenses that medical payments coverage does not, such as lost wages or childcare for essential services.
