Understanding the Difference Between PIP and MedPay
When you are involved in a car accident, one of your next steps is determining what insurance coverage applies to the crash, if any. Kansas follows a modified “no-fault” policy for car accidents, which impacts how insurance works in these situations.
You may hear two types of insurance being discussed in the aftermath of your accident: PIP and MedPay. Both offer no-fault coverage, but they have distinctions you should be aware of.
Understanding the differences between personal injury protection and medical payments coverage with the help of a Wichita personal injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed.
What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
In Kansas, drivers are legally required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance on their auto insurance policies. This form of coverage helps pay for medical expenses and related costs for you, your passengers, and your household members after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
State requirements include these minimum PIP coverage limits:
- $4,500 for medical expenses
- $900 per month for lost wages
- $25 per day for essential services
- $4,500 for occupational rehabilitation
- $2,000 for death care plans
PIP is automatically included in all Kansas auto policies. If the driver involved in an accident does not own the vehicle they were driving, the policy on the vehicle they were using can apply to their crash.
What Is Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)?
Medical payments coverage is another type of no-fault coverage that is less common in Kansas than in nearby Missouri. Still, it is not mandatory in Missouri the same way PIP coverage is mandatory in Kansas. Instead, Missouri drivers can choose to add this coverage to their policies to pay for their own medical expenses and those of any passengers in an accident, regardless of fault.
Some insurance companies offer medical payments coverage in Kansas. When available, this coverage typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 and would help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and health insurance deductibles and copays.
Considerations for Using No-Fault Coverage in Kansas
When you are involved in an accident in Kansas, you will likely file a claim through your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, and you may use MedPay coverage if you have it as well. If another driver was negligent in the accident and your injuries meet a certain severity threshold, you may also be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. You usually would need to repay the compensation you received from the PIP coverage once you settle your case.
Personal injury protection and medical payments coverage only apply to accident expenses related to your injuries. To pay for property damage, you would need to explore the at-fault driver’s property damage liability coverage or your own collision coverage, if applicable.
Seek Legal Guidance for Your Compensation Process
Understanding personal injury protection vs. medical payments coverage and other forms of insurance after an accident can be tricky. Larry Wall Trial Law is here with legal guidance to help you understand your options.
Read our guide before hiring an attorney, then call 316-265-6000 for a consultation.
