Totally get where you’re coming from. Med pay really does fill in the gaps, especially if your main health insurance isn’t up to par. I’ve seen a lot of folks in the classic car scene—myself included—opt for it just for peace of mind. Sometimes those old rides don’t have the best safety features, and you never know when a minor accident could turn into a bigger headache.
I’d say your point about covering passengers is spot on. Even if you’re careful, you can’t control what others do on the road. I’ve had friends who were glad they had med pay after a low-speed rear ender at a car meet... nobody’s fault, but still ended up with some medical bills.
It’s not always necessary if your health coverage is solid, but for a few extra bucks, it can save a lot of stress down the line. Definitely worth considering if you’re driving older cars or have people riding with you often.
Even if you’re careful, you can’t control what others do on the road.
That’s the part that gets me every time. I’m still learning, and honestly, I feel like I’m constantly watching out for what everyone else is doing, not just myself. Med pay feels like one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’re glad it’s there. I get that if you already have great health insurance, it might seem redundant, but for anyone with a high deductible or spotty coverage, it’s probably worth the extra cost. Plus, with older cars, you’re right—seat belts and airbags aren’t always a given... makes you think twice about those “cheap” policies.
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
Plus, with older cars, you’re right—seat belts and airbags aren’t always a given... makes you think twice about those “cheap” policies.
I get where you’re coming from, but isn’t there a point where we’re just doubling up on stuff? I mean, I drive a ‘72 Chevelle (yep, lap belts only), and sure, it’s not exactly a Volvo in the safety department. But if my health insurance is already pretty solid, am I really getting much out of med pay? Or am I just paying for peace of mind?
Not saying it’s useless—definitely see the value if your coverage is spotty or you’ve got a sky-high deductible. But sometimes it feels like insurance companies are just stacking on extras because they know folks get nervous. Anyone else ever feel like you’re being upsold at every turn? Maybe I’m just too stubborn (or cheap) for my own good...
Totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes it does feel like insurance is just a stack of “what ifs” you’re paying for. But here’s how I break it down: First, check your health insurance details. If your deductible is low and you’re not likely to hit out-of-pocket max from a car accident, maybe that extra med pay isn’t doing much for you. On the other hand, if you’ve got a plan where you’d be shelling out thousands before coverage kicks in, med pay can actually save you a headache (and a chunk of cash) if something happens.
Driving an older car with less safety gear does add some risk, though. I had a buddy with a ‘69 Mustang—he got rear-ended and even though his injuries weren’t major, the bills piled up fast. His med pay covered stuff his health insurance didn’t (like the ambulance ride). It’s not always about being upsold, but yeah, sometimes it’s just peace of mind. Guess it depends on your risk tolerance and how much you trust your current coverage to actually come through when you need it.
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
It’s not always about being upsold, but yeah, sometimes it’s just peace of mind.
That’s a fair point, but I tend to look at the numbers first. With the price of premiums on my sedan already higher than average, I’m hesitant to add coverage that might overlap with my health plan. Has anyone actually had a claim where med pay made a big difference, even with decent health insurance? I keep hearing stories, but I wonder how common that really is...