{"id":7078,"date":"2022-09-20T14:08:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T14:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=7078"},"modified":"2023-03-03T20:33:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T20:33:24","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-medpay-and-pi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/whats-the-difference-between-medpay-and-pi\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Difference Between MedPay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
MedPay and PIP are both types of medical coverage that kick in when a policyholder files a claim \u2013 typically after a car wreck. But each has its own unique list of coverages and other defining aspects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two curiously worded terms “MedPay” and “PIP” have enough in common that it makes sense to start with their similarities rather than their differences. In many states, both are car insurance<\/a> supplements to the policyholder\u2019s car insurance policy. In some states, one or the other is mandatory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MedPay is a mashup of the words \u201cmedical payments\u201d coverage, while PIP stands for “personal injury protection.” Both benefits kick in when the policyholder is hurt as a result of a vehicular accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now let\u2019s look closer at the difference between Medpay and PIP, as both types offer different features and benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your PIP benefits and MedPay benefits<\/a> will each cover your hospitalization and immediate medical expenses if you\u2019re injured as a driver or passenger. The main difference is that PIP will go farther. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can expect both types to pay up to your coverage limits for immediate costs such as hospitalization, surgery, orthopedics, dental, and prosthetics. You\u2019ll also be covered for ambulance costs, X-rays, nursing, and even funeral expenses if that should become necessary. Your passengers are similarly covered when you carry one of these options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over and above these expenses, your PIP add-on coverage<\/a> will also cover such costs as lost income if you\u2019re not paid for the time off work, physical or occupational therapy, and psychiatric costs if related to the covered accident. There\u2019s even a death benefit and survivor\u2019s benefit with this coverage option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, one distinct advantage of MedPay coverage is that it extends benefits if you\u2019re injured while on a bus or other form of public transport or you\u2019re hit by a motorist as a pedestrian. There\u2019s enough overlap of coverage features that you\u2019d only carry one of these benefits \u2014 not both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In most U.S. states, you don\u2019t have to have either. PIP coverage is mandatory in 15 states, including all 12 no-fault auto insurance<\/a> states. MedPay benefits are only required in Maine and New Hampshire. Some states will not allow one or the other to be purchased. In most other states, both are offered as optional benefits only. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPIP Coverage of Health-Related Costs Is Generally More Extensive Than MedPay <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Am I Required to Carry MedPay or PIP Car Insurance Benefits? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n