What does medical payments coverage pay for?
Medical payments coverage helps pay for expenses related to minor injuries that occur on your property, whether you’re responsible for the accident or not. These expenses include X-rays, ambulance rides and physical therapy.
In most cases, your home insurance carrier will reimburse the injured party for the following:- Health insurance deductibles and copays
- Doctor or hospital visits
- Minor surgeries
- X-rays
- Prosthetic devices
- Ambulance and emergency technician fees
- Professional nursing services
- Physical therapy
- Dental work
- Funeral services
Does medical payments insurance apply away from my home?
Yes, medical payments coverage may apply off-premises if the injury was caused by you, a household member or your pet. For example, if your dog bites someone in the park, medical payments coverage may apply.
Here are some off-premises incidents that might be covered by medical payments coverage:
| Off-Premises Incident | Example |
|---|---|
| Injury was caused by a pet | Your dog bites someone while you’re out for a walk |
| Injury was caused by you | You accidentally hit someone with a golf ball in the park |
| Injury was caused by a household employee | Your housekeeper drops a heavy package of yours on someone’s foot at the post office |
| Injury was caused by a condition in your home | Your home has mold growth and a guest gets sick after leaving the premises |
How much medical payments coverage do I need?
Medical payments vs. personal liability
Medical payments coverage has relatively low limits and applies regardless of who is to blame. By contrast, personal liability coverage has much higher limits and only applies if you are responsible for the damage or injury. Additionally, medical payments does not cover legal fees.
Here are the main differences between medical payments coverage and personal liability coverage:| Medical Payments Coverage | Personal Liability Coverage |
|---|---|
| Applies regardless of fault | Applies if you are responsible for the incident |
| Applies to minor injuries | Applies to more serious injuries and lawsuits |
| Has low coverage limits; usually between $1,000 to $5,000 | Has much higher coverage limits; usually between $100,000 and $500,000 |
| Does not cover property damage | Covers property damage |
| Does not cover legal fees | Covers your legal defense in a lawsuit |
Examples of medical payment claims
Here are two examples that might help explain medical payments coverage a little bit better:
-
Scenario #1
A guest trips on your deck while texting and chips their tooth. Because it’s a minor injury, medical payments coverage could take care of their dental bills. -
Scenario #2
A neighbor slips on your icy driveway, resulting in a sprained ankle. Medical payments coverage may cover their hospital visit. -
Scenario #3
A delivery driver trips on your walkway and hurts their wrist. Medical payments coverage may cover their X-rays.
On the flip side, if any of these incidents resulted in a more serious injury and lawsuit, the potential cost to you would be far greater. As a result, your personal liability insurance would be a better fit for the claim.
What does medical payments coverage not pay for?
As long as the injury was minor, medical payments coverage will protect you under most circumstances, but not all. Most notably, it won’t apply if the injured person lives in your home or if your home is uninsured.
Additionally, medical payments coverage won’t apply if the injury was caused by:
- An expected or intentional act
- Business that took place at your house
- A failure to render professional services
- A communicable disease
- Corporal punishment or physical or mental abuse
- Controlled substances
- War