Man, that’s rough. It’s wild how you can baby a car and still end up in a mess just running errands. I used to think med pay was just for folks who drive a ton, but after hearing stories like yours, I’m rethinking it. Even a “minor” bump can turn into weeks of pain, huh? Makes me wonder if I’m being cheap or just naive skipping that extra coverage...
Makes me wonder if I’m being cheap or just naive skipping that extra coverage...
Honestly, I’ve had the same debate with myself. It’s easy to assume you’re “safe” if you’re careful, but accidents don’t really care about that. I used to think med pay was overkill, but after my cousin got rear-ended at a stoplight and ended up with a fat ER bill, I started crunching the numbers. Even a small policy can bridge the gap before health insurance kicks in, especially if you’ve got a high deductible. But then again, if you rarely drive or already have solid health coverage, maybe it’s not as critical? It’s a tough call.
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
Even a small policy can bridge the gap before health insurance kicks in, especially if you’ve got a high deductible.
That’s exactly what tipped the scales for me. I used to think, “I’m careful, I’ve got decent health insurance, why bother?” But after years of commuting through city traffic, you start to realize it’s not always about your own driving. I got sideswiped on my way to work last year—nothing major, but enough to send me for X-rays and a couple follow-ups. My health insurance covered most of it, but the out-of-pocket was still more than what a year of med pay would’ve cost. That stung.
The thing is, even if you’re not driving much, it’s those random, low-speed accidents that seem to rack up weird bills. Ambulance rides, ER visits, physical therapy... they add up fast. I’ve also noticed some health plans are getting stingier about what they’ll cover right away, especially if there’s a car involved. They want all the auto info first, and sometimes you’re stuck waiting.
But yeah, if you barely drive or your health plan is gold-plated, maybe it’s not worth it. For me, with a long commute and a not-so-great deductible, it’s just peace of mind. I’d rather pay a little extra than get blindsided by a bill later. It’s one of those things that seems pointless until you actually need it—then you’re glad you have it.
Not saying it’s for everyone, but if you’re on the fence, it might be worth looking at your health plan’s fine print and thinking about how much you’re actually on the road. That’s what finally convinced me.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d push back a bit—sometimes adding medical coverage to your auto policy can overlap with what you already have, especially if your health insurance is solid. Before paying extra, I usually suggest folks check if their health plan covers auto accidents without weird exclusions or delays. Some plans actually process claims pretty quickly, even for car-related stuff. If you’re not driving much or you’ve got good coverage, that extra premium might just be money down the drain. It’s not always a slam dunk, you know?
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
You make a fair point about overlap—I've wondered the same thing myself. Years back, I added medical payments to my auto policy just because my agent made it sound like a no-brainer. Turns out, my health insurance would've covered most of what I needed anyway, and I ended up paying for something I never used. Felt a bit silly in hindsight.
But then again, I had a buddy who got rear-ended and his health insurance dragged their feet for months, while his auto med coverage kicked in right away. That saved him a ton of stress. Guess it really depends on how your health plan handles accident claims. If you’ve got a good setup already, I agree—it might not be worth the extra cash. But if your health insurance is spotty or you’re worried about deductibles, sometimes that extra layer can be a lifesaver.
It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all thing. I’d say trust your gut and double-check the fine print before tossing more money at insurance.
