Driving presents a risk of accidents all on its own, even for the most careful drivers. This risk increases when you have passengers in the car, as severe injuries and liability concerns may be at the back of your mind. Unfortunately, many people believe that liability insurance covers their passengers and fail to get the coverage they need to protect everyone in their vehicle in case of an accident.
What Does Liability Insurance Cover?
In short, bodily injury liability car insurance does not cover passengers. This insurance, required by most states in the U.S., instead covers other drivers, their passengers and pedestrians in case they are injured while the insured driver is operating their vehicle. Liability also concerns lawsuits the driver may face after causing injuries in an accident with the insured vehicle. It does not cover anyone inside the vehicle, however.
Instead, you will need medical payments coverage or personal injury protection.
Medical Payments Coverage vs Personal Injury Protection
There is little difference between these two types of coverages aside from where they are available. Both help cover medical bills you and your passengers may face after an accident, no matter who is at fault. For example, if you cause an accident and it results in injuries, this insurance will still cover everyone inside your vehicle.
Medical payments coverage is the most common in the U.S., although it is not required. In states where personal injury protection is available, it is frequently required. Personal injury protection offers a lot of the same coverage while taking it a step further and offering certain benefits such as wage replacement in case an injured passenger is no longer able to work due to their injuries.
Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Cover Passengers?
Along with liability as required by the state, full coverage car insurance policies also include medical payments coverage or personal injury protection. Full coverage car insurance simply refers to the highest amount of coverage you can have on a single vehicle and is recommended for most drivers.
Even if medical payments coverage is not required by your state or your vehicle’s dealership, it is crucial for making sure that you and your passengers receive help with medical bills after an accident. Be sure to speak with your insurance agent and insure your vehicle with the coverage it needs to keep everyone on the road safe.