5 min read time
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments?
While personal injury protection and medical payments coverage are both considered to be a form of auto insurance policy, they have key differences, which are important to understand when either shopping for insurance coverage or navigating an automobile accident insurance claim.
Scope of Coverage
Medical payments coverage, like the name suggests, only covers medical expenses and funeral costs.
While MedPay coverage can assist your existing health insurance in covering medical bills and funeral expenses, this type of insurance coverage may not be all that beneficial in an event such as an auto accident, where other expenses, such as lost wages or property damage, may be a factor.
On the other hand, personal injury protection coverage covers a range of additional expenses, in addition to medical bills, including lost wages, professional health services, rehabilitation, funeral costs, household expenses, and occupational therapy.
Due to PIP coverage having a broader coverage scope, it's recommended to carry PIP coverage to defend against financial burdens caused by a car accident.
Policy Limits
When comparing PIP to MedPay, PIP has a higher policy limit than MedPay.
MedPay is typically used to cover short-term medical expenses, whereas PIP coverage is used to cover more and longer-term expenses that may result from an accident, such as a car accident.
What Is Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection is a type of car insurance coverage that covers medical care, lost income, and other car accident-related costs for both you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for the auto accident.
Additionally, PIP is commonly referred to as "no-fault" coverage as it's typically an auto insurance requirement in no-fault states.
Where Is Personal Injury Protection Legally Required
Personal injury protection is a legal requirement in multiple no-fault states, as these states declared that drivers involved in a car accident must first seek compensation from their own PIP coverage before pursuing compensation from another driver through a personal injury claim.
No-fault states, which legally require PIP coverage, include:
- Florida
- Michigan
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Utah
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Kansas
While these states all mandate personal injury protection as a part of every driver's auto insurance policy, they each have their own specific regulations and coverage requirements, so it's important to speak with your insurance company's agent to ensure that you make an informed decision on your coverage options.
What Is Medical Payment Coverage
Medical payment coverage is an optional coverage add-on that can be added to your existing auto insurance policy.
Medical payment insurance can be used alongside health insurance to pay for your and your passengers' medical expenses incurred due to a car accident, regardless of who the responsible party is.
Common medical costs which MedPay covers include:
- Emergency room and hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Ambulance fees
- Funeral & burial expenses
While medical payments coverage only covers medical expenses, unlike personal injury protection, which covers numerous other expenses, including medical costs, it can still be helpful to those who don't have health insurance or have a high health insurance deductible.
Where Is Medical Payment Coverage Legally Required
As of 2025, MedPay is not a part of any state's insurance coverage requirements.
However, some insurance companies may still strongly suggest that policyholders invest in MedPay coverage, especially in states where PIP is not available.
What Does Personal Injury Protection Not Cover?
While PIP is an extensive coverage option that covers numerous expenses, including but not limited to medical expenses, lost wages, and other related car accident costs, there are still specific damages that PIP does not cover.
Damages PIP does not cover include:
- Vehicle Damage: PIP will not cover the cost to repair your car or any other personal property, as those expenses are typically handled by property damage or collision liability coverage.
- Pain and Suffering: Unlike liability insurance, PIP does not cover non-economic damages such as emotional distress or pain and suffering.
- Other Drivers' Expenses: PIP only covers damages incurred by you and your passengers, meaning your PIP insurance will not cover injuries and damages sustained by other drivers and their passengers in an at-fault car accident, which could be grounds for a civil lawsuit.
- Damages Caused by Intentional or Criminal Actions: If the motor vehicle accident was a result of intentional or criminal actions, such as road rage or hit-and-run, your insurance company may deny your PIP.
- Commercial Drivers: Those who use their vehicle or others for commercial purposes, such as ridesharing, delivery, or hauling, typically can't use PIP to cover damages; instead, they must utilize commercial vehicle coverage.
Should I Carry Both Medical Payments Coverage and Personal Injury Protection
Typically, you don't need to carry both MedPay and personal injury protection in your car insurance policy.
However, there are situations where investing in both coverage options could make sense.
When You Should Carry Both MedPay and PIP
There are specific situations where carrying both MedPay and PIP may be a worthwhile investment, with some of these being:
- Low PIP Limits: If your PIP has a low policy limit, you may be able to utilize MedPay to help cover any leftover medical expenses that PIP or medical insurance didn't fully cover.
- Passengers Without PIP or Health Insurance: If you frequently transport passengers who may not have health insurance, MedPay may be a worthwhile coverage option to consider in conjunction with your PIP, as it can provide coverage for passengers who lack medical insurance or PIP benefits.
- Paying Deductibles and Co-Pays: MedPay can pay specific out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays or deductibles that PIP or health insurance may not fully cover.
When You Shouldn't Carry Both MedPay and PIP
For the majority, carrying both MedPay and PIP is not necessary, as one of the following situations applies to them:
- High PIP Limits: If you live in a no-fault car insurance state, PIP may have higher policy limits and could even be comprehensive, making MedPay redundant coverage.
- Strong Health Insurance: If you have an extensive health insurance policy, you probably don't need MedPay to assist in covering medical expenses.
How Much Does MedPay and PIP Insurance Cost in Nevada?
In Nevada, MedPay and PIP are both optional insurance add-ons, meaning that Nevada state law does not require drivers to hold such coverage options.
However, understanding the cost of each could still be beneficial, especially if you're looking to expand your coverage:
- MedPay: The cost of MedPay in Nevada is typically around $10 a month
- PIP: Personal injury protection is not offered by most insurers in Nevada, as Nevada is a fault state, meaning drivers go through a claims process against an at-fault driver to obtain compensation rather than relying on PIP to cover their damages.
Obtain the Compensation You're Entitled To
Contact Us Today
Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer is a Las Vegas personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience helping clients obtain maximum compensation following injuries from accidents such as car crashes, worksite injuries, and slips and falls. Over those years, The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm has become an experienced law firm that can ensure exceptional results for any of its clients.
