get your free consultation
Personal injury protection (PIP) is not required in Missouri, but opting for this kind of insurance is highly advisable. Instead of PIP, Missouri insurance companies refer to this type of coverage as medical payments insurance, or “MedPay.” MedPay coverage can pay for medical treatment after an accident and helps minimize out-of-pocket payments.
MedPay is a type of auto insurance coverage in Missouri that can act as an extension of your health insurance benefits by taking care of copays or your deductible, giving you a wide range of protection for car accident injuries. This form of extra protection is optional, but MedPay may be right for you if you have minimal or no health insurance coverage or a high deductible.
Your medical payments coverage applies regardless of who is at fault for the accident and can help pay for:
Coverage limits can vary from $1,000 to $10,000. The limit means the total amount that your auto insurance company will pay for eligible medical expenses.
Missouri is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents, meaning the negligent driver is responsible for compensating you for damages. However, MedPay coverage can still be helpful should you decide to file a claim with your insurance company rather than directly with the at-fault party’s auto insurer.
It can take months or longer to settle an accident claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you don’t have other health insurance or MedPay to cover injury expenses, you will be responsible for them until you are able to recover compensation. Whereas, if you receive MedPay coverage under your policy, your insurance company will later collect reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer.