I hear you on the “what ifs”—that’s what got me looking into med pay in the first place. I commute about 45 minutes each way, and after a fender bender last year, I realized my health insurance deductible was way higher than I thought. Ended up paying more out of pocket than I expected. Made me wonder if those extra few bucks a month would’ve saved me hassle and cash. But at the same time, if you’re barely driving or your health plan covers everything, is it just money down the drain? Hard to say sometimes...
I totally get where you’re coming from. After my brother got rear-ended a couple years back, he was shocked at how much he owed even after insurance kicked in. His health plan didn’t cover some stuff, and the bills just kept coming. Ever since, I’ve kept med pay on my policy, even though I don’t drive a ton. It’s one of those things—feels like a waste until you actually need it, then you’re glad it’s there. But yeah, if you barely drive or have a killer health plan, maybe it’s not worth it... tough call.
It’s one of those things—feels like a waste until you actually need it, then you’re glad it’s there.
That line really hits home. Years back, I used to think med pay was just another way for the insurance company to squeeze a few extra bucks out of me. I figured, hey, I’ve got decent health insurance through work, why double up? But then my neighbor got T-boned at a stop sign and ended up with all sorts of weird bills—ambulance ride, some physical therapy that wasn’t fully covered, even a couple follow-up visits that somehow slipped through the cracks. He had med pay, and it basically saved him from dipping into his savings.
I drive a fair bit for work, so I keep it on my policy now. It’s not a huge bump in premium (at least in my state), and honestly, the peace of mind is worth it for me. But I get where you’re coming from about it feeling unnecessary if you barely drive or have top-tier health coverage. My cousin lives in the city and only uses his car for weekend trips—he dropped med pay last year and hasn’t missed it.
One thing I’d add: sometimes it’s not just about your own health plan, but who else rides with you. If you’ve got kids or friends in the car often, med pay can help cover their injuries too, regardless of fault. That’s something folks don’t always realize until after an accident.
I guess for me, it comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with. If you can swing the extra cost without sweating it and want to avoid any nasty surprises after an accident, med pay makes sense. But if your health plan is bulletproof and your car mostly sits in the garage... maybe not as much.
Funny how insurance always feels like overkill until life throws a curveball your way.
I hear you on the “feels like a waste” part—until you’re the one getting hit with those random bills. I’ve had my share of fender benders (bad luck or bad driving, who knows), and med pay bailed me out more than once. Even with health insurance, there’s always something that slips through. Ever notice how some ER docs or ambulance companies just don’t play nice with your main health plan? Makes me wonder if people who’ve actually used med pay see it differently than those who haven’t. Anyone else ever get stuck with surprise medical bills after a wreck, even with good coverage?
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
Ever notice how some ER docs or ambulance companies just don’t play nice with your main health plan?
That’s a fair point, but I keep wondering if it’s really worth paying for med pay *if* you’ve already got solid health insurance. I get the risk of random bills—been there with a busted wrist and a $400 “facility fee” that insurance didn’t touch. Still, I always ask myself: how often does that actually happen? Is it enough to justify shelling out for extra coverage every year?
I tend to look at the odds. If you’re in a high-deductible plan, maybe med pay makes sense. But if your health insurance has low out-of-pocket max and covers accidents, isn’t med pay just doubling up? Or am I missing some loophole where auto med pay covers stuff regular insurance never will?
Maybe I’m just more comfortable taking the chance and saving the premium, but I can see why someone who’s been burned would feel differently. Guess it depends how much risk you’re willing to eat.
