Carrying medical payments on insurance? (auto, liability, USA, cheap)

[Kluch]

I've never much thought about the importance of carrying medical payments on my auto insurance but recently after switching insurers I've been wondering, is the importance of having it more for you or for people you're driving with? In the past I always carried it because I didn't think twice about it but last year I dropped it. Now after switching my new agent initially suggested I pick it up again but I lowered the coverage amount because we rarely drive people places and we have very good medical insurance. Do I need it at all or is there a reason I should increase it?

[CGab]

It's a good idea to have at least $10k in medical payments, if not more. The coverage is not only for your passengers, but will pay out for you as well. For example, say you hit a patch of ice and hit a light post and needed to go to the hospital and get stitches. Yes, your health insurance would pay, but you would have a deductible. Your medical payment coverage on your auto policy would payout towards any medical expenses you would have including your deductible.

As far as a passenger, it would pay out for any medical expenses they would have and if their medical expenses exceeded that coverage then your liability coverage would kick in.

Medical payment coverage is typically pretty cheap on your policy and should not be overlooked! It could save you thousands in medical bills! When my husband fell asleep at the wheel, our medical payment coverage saved us from having to pay our $5000 health insurance deductible!