(800) 253-1482What Is Medical Payments Coverage in Tennessee?
Summary: Medical payments coverage (MedPay) offers Tennessee drivers financial protection for accident-related medical expenses, covering costs even if you’re at fault. Unlike liability insurance, MedPay covers your own medical bills and provides flexible options from $1,000 to $10,000. It extends beyond vehicle accidents, covering injuries while walking or cycling, as well as co-pays, deductibles, and ambulance fees. Medical payments coverage policies often include subrogation, allowing insurers to recover costs from the at-fault driver, and using it won’t raise your premiums. While not required in Tennessee, PIP isn’t available, and MedPay offers a valuable, low-cost safety net against rising healthcare expenses. Estimated Read Time: 4 mins
Car accidents can bring hefty medical bills for both drivers and passengers. Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, is designed to help cover these costs—even if you’re at fault.
Unlike liability coverage, which only covers the medical expenses of others, MedPay steps in to cover your own healthcare bills.
This means that if you're injured in an accident, you won’t have to worry about paying out of pocket for your healthcare expenses.
If you’re responsible for a passenger's medical expenses, not having MedPay could lead to serious financial strain and even potential legal issues if those bills go unpaid.
Adding medical payments coverage to your auto insurance is an affordable way to add an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Medical Payments Coverage Tennessee Facts
Adding medical payments coverage to your Tennessee auto insurance provides flexible limits from $1,000 to $10,000, letting you choose the right protection level.
MedPay covers medical bills even if you’re at fault, offering peace of mind.
Your policy also protects yourself and your family if injured while walking or cycling and can cover deductibles or co-pays from other insurance, helping with unexpected medical costs regardless of fault.
Many MedPay policies include a “right of subrogation,” allowing insurers to recover costs if another driver is found at fault.
If you receive compensation from that driver, you may need to reimburse your insurer, or they might pursue the driver directly.
Medical payments coverage is a low-cost option that covers essential medical expenses without affecting your premiums as carriers can't raise your rates for using your policy by law.
For example, with $7,000 in MedPay, you can use it fully for accident-related bills without a rate increase.
How You’re Covered
MedPay covers expenses often excluded by health insurance, such as deductibles, co-pays, ambulance fees, and going to the chiropractor.
However, adding medical payments coverage to your auto insurance also protects you if you're in an accident with an uninsured driver.
As a no-fault coverage, MedPay applies no matter who caused the accident.
Additionally, it follows you whether you're in another car, walking, or biking and are in an accident that causes injuries.
MedPay also offers quick payments and no deductible, meaning you get reimbursed faster and in full, even if your accident claim is still being processed.
Exceptions to MedPay
Medical payments coverage has limits and exclusions, covering only medical or funeral expenses up to your policy’s limit. Any costs beyond that are your responsibility.
It also only covers personal injuries, not vehicle or property damage. While helpful, MedPay doesn't replace bodily injury liability coverage.
Tennessee Doesn’t Have PIP Coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP) is available in no-fault states, covering medical expenses regardless of fault.
However, Tennessee is an at-fault state, where drivers must prove the other driver was responsible for recovering medical bills and lost income, so it does not offer PIP coverage.
In this system, the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the injured party’s damages. Without no-fault PIP, Tennessee drivers can instead sue the at-fault driver directly to recover costs.
For added medical expense coverage, Tennessee drivers have the option of MedPay—an affordable, practical way to boost medical protection without significantly increasing premiums in an at-fault state.
Is Medical Payment Coverage Needed for Auto Insurance in TN?
MedPay isn’t required in Tennessee, but it can be a smart choice for drivers, especially with rising healthcare costs.
Even a small accident can lead to high medical bills, and medical payments coverage helps cover those unexpected costs.
It’s especially helpful if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance.
Since bodily injury claims can go over $25,000, having MedPay makes sure you’re protected.
It gives you peace of mind, especially if you can’t afford big medical bills or don’t have health insurance.
Car Insurance With Medical Payments Coverage and Bodily Injury in Tennessee
Tennessee requires bodily injury liability coverage, but it only covers others if you're at fault—it doesn't pay for your medical bills.
To cover your own medical expenses, you'll need health insurance or medical payments coverage.
MedPay helps pay your medical bills after an at-fault accident, offering essential support.
Adding medical payments coverage provides extra financial protection that liability coverage alone can't offer.
