Hurt in a Crash in California? What MedPay Is and When It Pays

Quick answer: MedPay, short for medical payments coverage, is an optional part of a California auto policy. The California Department of Insurance says it “can pay for immediate medical care, no matter who is at fault,” and that it pays “limited medical expenses for people injured in the car you are driving.” You may have turned it down when you bought the policy, so check your Declarations page. If you were hurt in a crash in Sunnyvale and want help reading it, call Tropea Chiropractic at (408) 329-9604. Coverage varies by policy and case.

What is MedPay?

It is the part of an auto policy that pays medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash. The Department of Insurance’s guide puts it this way: “This covers the cost of medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured.”

Two details from that guide matter more than the rest:

• It is optional. “You may be offered this coverage, but you can choose not to buy it.”
• It is limited. “The minimum limit you can buy is $1,000 for each person injured. You can ask for higher limits of coverage.”

That limit is the ceiling. The same guide says the limit is the total amount the insurance company will pay for a single accident or claim, and that it will not pay any costs above the limits. So a policy with a low limit can run out while you are still being treated.

Does it matter who caused the crash?

Not for MedPay. The Department of Insurance says it pays “whether or not you are at fault.” That is the whole reason people buy it. You do not have to wait for two insurers to argue about the crash before this coverage can respond.

Liability coverage works the other way around. It “helps pay for injuries or damage that you cause to others,” and it “does not pay for injuries to you or the people in your household.” If the other driver caused the crash, their liability coverage is what may pay for your injuries, and that claim can take time.

How do I know if I have MedPay?

Look at your policy. The Department of Insurance says the Declarations page “is a useful summary of your policy.” Find medical payments coverage on it, and the limit beside it. If you do not see it, ask your agent or your insurance company whether you bought it.

If you can’t find your policy, photograph your insurance card and call your insurer. It takes a few minutes, and it changes the conversation at your first visit. If you do not have MedPay, that is common and it does not stop you from being seen. There are other ways care gets paid for, which we cover below.

How does MedPay compare with other coverage?

These are the coverages most likely to come up after a crash, as the Department of Insurance describes them:

Coverage	Whose injuries	Does fault matter?	What the state says
Medical payments (MedPay)	You and passengers in the car you are driving	No	Optional. Minimum limit you can buy is $1,000 per person
The other driver’s liability	People that driver injures	Yes, that driver must be at fault	California minimum is $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for more than one person in an accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury	You and anyone in your car	Yes, the uninsured driver must be at fault	Your insurer must offer it. Turning it down takes a signed waiver
Underinsured motorist	You, when the other driver has too little insurance	Yes	Covers limited costs for bodily injury

Your policy is the final word on your own coverage. This table is a summary of a state guide, not a reading of your contract.

How does billing work at Tropea Chiropractic after a crash?

Care after a crash is often paid one of three ways, and you often pay nothing out of pocket:

• Your own auto insurance. Coverage like MedPay, which the office bills directly.
• The at-fault driver. If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurance is responsible for your care, and the office helps document it for your claim.
• Treatment on a lien. If you are working with an attorney, the office can treat on a lien, or letter of protection, with $0 upfront, so payment waits until your case settles.

Coverage varies by policy and case. The office will confirm exactly what applies to you before treatment begins. See how it works on the car accident care page. If you are an attorney, see the page for attorneys.

What should I do with my policy after a crash?

Do these in the first few days:

1. Get your Declarations page. It is usually in your insurer’s app or your email.
2. File your DMV report. The SR-1 is due within 10 days if anyone was hurt. It is separate from your insurance claim.
3. Bring your paperwork to your first visit. A photo ID, your auto insurance information, the accident or police report if you have it, and your attorney’s information if you have one.
4. Think about work. If you can’t do your job, State Disability Insurance has its own clock.

Should I get care first, or sort out the insurance first?

Emergencies come first, always. Read whiplash and neck pain after a crash for the signs that mean call 911. If nothing on that list applies, you do not need your insurance sorted out before you call. If you do not have all of your paperwork, come in anyway and the office will help you sort it out.

Why choose Tropea Chiropractic after a crash in Sunnyvale?

Dr. Tony Tropea treats accident patients from his office at 182 S Murphy Ave, with patients from Santa Clara, San Jose, Mountain View and Cupertino as well as Sunnyvale. Most accident patients are seen the same day, no referral is needed, and the office serves patients in English and Spanish.

“He is experienced with personal injury accidents and made me feel comfortable asking questions since this was completely new to me,” wrote Tiffany Chen in a Google review.

Call (408) 329-9604 and the office will go through your coverage with you before treatment begins.