What is PIP? What is MedPay?

PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection, an auto insurance benefit that can help pay covered medical expenses and a portion of lost income after a crash, regardless of who caused it. Benefits are subject to coverage limits and eligibility requirements. Your available coverage may depend on whether PIP was waived or rejected. Ask your insurer or lawyer to review the applicable policy and explain how to claim benefits.

SHOULD I ADD PIP TO MY POLICY?

Yes—we recommend carrying PIP coverage on your auto policy. It can help pay covered medical expenses and a portion of lost income after a crash, regardless of fault. Even if you have health insurance, PIP can still be useful because health insurance generally does not replace lost wages. Ask your insurer about available coverage limits, the additional premium, and whether your current policy includes a PIP waiver. Even though some insurance companies don’t like mentioning it, they are legally obligated to offer it to you.

WHAT IS MEDPAY, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT THAN PIP?

Medical Payments Coverage, often called MedPay, is optional auto insurance that helps pay covered medical expenses after a crash, regardless of who caused it.

The main difference: PIP can cover medical expenses and a portion of lost income, while MedPay does not cover lost wages. MedPay can provide additional medical coverage after available PIP benefits are exhausted. Many policies require PIP to pay first, so check your policy’s coverage limits, eligibility rules, and coordination requirements.

WHERE CAN I READ MORE?

See the Maryland Insurance Administration’s Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance, under Additional or Supplemental Coverage. You can also ask your insurer to explain whether your policy includes MedPay and how it works alongside PIP and health insurance.