Does car insurance cover medical bills?

Yes, car insurance can cover medical bills, but only through the right coverage. Your own injuries are usually handled by MedPay or PIP. Injuries you cause to others are handled by your bodily injury liability. If another driver hurts you, their liability coverage is the first place to look.

MedPay pays reasonable medical costs for you and your passengers after a crash, usually regardless of fault. It can help with deductibles and copays your health plan leaves behind. Limits are often modest, so it works best as a gap filler.

PIP is broader. Depending on the state and policy, it may pay medical bills plus part of lost wages and some costs like help at home while you recover. In no-fault states, PIP is usually required, and you claim through your own insurer first. Rules vary by state.

If someone else causes the crash, their bodily injury liability coverage may pay your medical bills. That can take time, since fault has to be settled. Meanwhile, your MedPay, PIP or health insurance may pay first and then seek repayment.

• Bodily injury liability: pays others when you're at fault
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury: helps when the at-fault driver has no insurance
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury: helps when their limits are too low

Your health plan may still be involved. Some health plans pay first and seek repayment from the auto claim later. Others expect auto coverage to pay first. The order depends on your state, your auto policy and your health plan, so keep both insurers informed and save all bills and statements.

Think about your health plan's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, how many people usually ride with you and whether you have income protection if you miss work. A licensed agent can show what's required in your state and what extra coverage costs.

• Check your declarations page for MedPay or PIP and the limits
• Compare those limits with your health plan's deductible
• Consider uninsured motorist coverage if it's optional where you live