WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
If you drive people around a lot, or your health insurance isn’t great, it’s worth considering. Otherwise… yeah, sometimes it feels redundant. Just depends on your situation and comfort level with risk.
That’s pretty much where I land too. I used to think med pay was just another way for insurance companies to squeeze a few more bucks out of us, but your story about your sister hits home. My health insurance is decent, but the deductible is still a kick in the teeth if something actually happens. I drive a lot for work (and yeah, sometimes carpool), so it’s been on my mind.
I still kinda hate paying for coverage I might never use, but I guess that’s the whole point of insurance, right? It’s tough to know if you’re being smart or just paranoid. Anyway, I appreciate hearing real examples—makes it a little less abstract than the “what if” scenarios they throw at you in the office.
You’re right, it just depends on how much risk you’re cool with. I’m leaning toward adding it next time my policy’s up, just for peace of mind.
I get what you mean about feeling like it’s just another add-on. My parents made me get med pay when I started driving, and at first I thought it was pointless since I’m young and healthy. But then a friend of mine got rear-ended and her regular insurance took forever to pay out, so she was stuck with bills for months. That kinda changed my mind. I guess it’s one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’re glad it’s there. Still feels weird paying for “just in case” though.
WHEN DOES PAYING EXTRA FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE ON AUTO POLICIES MAKE SENSE?
I used to think med pay was just another way for insurance companies to squeeze more money out of us, but after a couple of close calls, I’m not so sure anymore. I’ve had my fair share of tickets and a fender bender or two (okay, maybe three), so my rates are already higher than most. When my agent suggested med pay, I rolled my eyes at first. But after getting rear-ended last year and dealing with the back-and-forth between my health insurance and the other driver’s policy, I started seeing the point. The bills piled up fast, and it was a headache trying to figure out who was paying what.
I get what you’re saying about being young and healthy, though. It does feel weird paying for something you hope you’ll never use. But honestly, accidents don’t care how careful or healthy you are. Sometimes it’s just bad luck or someone else’s mistake. I’ve seen people get stuck with ambulance bills and ER visits that their regular insurance didn’t cover right away, and med pay would’ve helped a ton.
I’m curious, has anyone actually had med pay cover something their main insurance wouldn’t? Or maybe had it kick in faster? I’ve heard stories, but I’m never sure if it’s just insurance agents trying to upsell. I guess for folks like me, who are considered “high risk,” it’s probably more worth it, but I wonder if it’s overkill for people with spotless records. Does it really make a difference, or is it just peace of mind?
Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think med pay was a waste too, but after a buddy of mine got stuck with a fat ambulance bill (his health insurance took weeks to sort it out), I started seeing the value. It’s not just about being high risk—sometimes it really does help with those random, annoying gaps regular insurance leaves. Peace of mind isn’t nothing, especially if you’re on the road a lot.
Yeah, I hear you. I used to skip med pay too, but after a minor fender bender last year, the ER bill was way more than I expected. My health insurance covered most of it, but not all, and the paperwork was a pain. Med pay would've just handled it, no questions. If you’re driving cross-country or in unfamiliar areas a lot, it starts to make sense. Guess it’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you need it.