Car accidents are traumatic, especially if you get hurt. Car insurance and health insurance can both cover medical treatment. Together, they can help minimize financial pain so you can focus on recovering.
Here’s how insurance coverage works if you’re injured in an accident.
Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained.
Health insurance can cover medical treatment for car accident injuries, as does certain types of auto insurance. In some cases, auto insurance may be used first, with health insurance kicking in as secondary coverage when the auto insurance benefits have been exhausted. The hospital or medical office where you’re treated will typically ask for your auto and health insurance information to use for billing.
Auto insurance features a variety of coverages for car accident injuries. Each pays for expenses up to the policy limits.
Medical payments coverage, or MedPay. Medical payments coverage pays your medical bills and those of your passengers, no matter who caused the accident. MedPay also covers funeral expenses after a fatal accident.
Personal injury protection (PIP). Personal injury protection covers your medical bills and other expenses, such as lost wages, funeral costs, and costs for household tasks you’re unable to do because of injury, such as childcare and housecleaning. In some states, it may also cover your passengers. PIP is required in some states and optional or unavailable in others.
Other driver’s bodily injury liability. Bodily injury liability covers your medical bills and those of your passengers if the other driver was at fault for the accident. The other driver’s bodily injury liability may also cover loss of income, pain and suffering, and funeral costs. (The other driver’s property damage liability covers damage to your car.) Most states require liability insurance.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM and UIM). Uninsured motorist coverage covers medical bills and lost wages of you and your passengers if the other driver was at fault for the accident and doesn’t have any or enough liability insurance. UM, UIM, or both are required in many states.
Learn more: Most common types of car insurance
How car and health insurance work together to cover medical expenses depends on state law and your coverage.
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If you have personal injury protection. Your PIP coverage will typically pay out first up to the limits on your policy, followed by health insurance if there are more expenses.
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If you have medical payments coverage. MedPay may be used first as primary insurance for car accident injuries or as a supplement to your health plan, depending on your state and coverage.
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If the other driver was at fault. You may be able to make a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance, depending on the state. You would use your car or health insurance or both to cover immediate medical expenses. Your insurers will seek reimbursement if you receive a settlement after the accident investigation.
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If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured. You would make a claim on your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, which would kick in after the accident investigation.
State law and your coverage will determine which coverage kicks in first and pays for certain services. Personal injury protection insurance, for instance, pays for some costs that health insurance doesn’t cover, such as lost wages.
Get help through your car insurance agent and health plan to navigate the claims process.
Contact your auto insurance company after an accident, and ask how to submit claims. Keep receipts of medical expenses, and work with an auto insurance company claims adjuster to make sure the company gets all the pertinent information to expedite payment.
Learn more: What to do after a car accident: Your step-by-step guide
Contact both your car insurance company and the other driver’s insurer if you weren’t at fault for the accident. You’ll pay for medical expenses as you go, using your own car or health insurance or both, and then may be entitled to a settlement with the other driver’s insurer after the accident investigation is completed.
However, in states with “no-fault” auto insurance systems, your auto insurance will cover your medical bills and restrict your right to sue the other driver, except under certain conditions. The at-fault driver may be held legally responsible for damage to your car, though.
Health insurance doesn’t cover expenses outside of medical care, such as funeral expenses, lost wages, and household services.
Accident insurance is a supplementary policy you can buy in addition to car and health insurance. Accident insurance pays out a lump sum to cover out-of-pocket costs for accident-related expenses, such as deductibles and copayments or services your health plan doesn’t cover.
A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process and possibly get a bigger settlement if you’re seriously injured after a car accident. However, it’s important to balance any potential gain with the cost of legal fees.
