Key takeaways
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Personal Accident Cover (often called Medical Payments or PIP) covers your medical expenses after a crash, regardless of who’s at fault.
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Medical Payments Coverage is optional in all states; Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is mandatory in a few states like Florida and optional in others.
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These covers pay for doctor visits, hospitalization, and rehabilitation for you (and often your passenger) up to the policy limit. They do not cover pain & suffering.
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Adding this coverage can save you from huge medical bills, especially if you don’t have robust health insurance or if you get into an accident in a no-fault state.
Medical payments coverage
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What it does: Pays reasonable medical expenses (hospital, surgery, nursing, etc.) for you and your passenger after a bike crash.
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Coverage limit: You choose an annual limit (e.g. $5,000 or $10,000). This is per person, per accident.
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No fault requirement: No fault determination is needed; it pays regardless of who caused the crash.
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Typically mandatory deductible: Some insurers waive deductible on MedPay. It’s often a rider to your liability-only policy.
Use case: If you break an arm in a collision, MedPay could cover X-ray and treatment bills immediately, without having to sue or use health insurance.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
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In states that offer it: PIP is like an expanded MedPay. It covers medical expenses and often lost wages, nursing care, and even funeral costs up to a limit.
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Availability: PIP is required in some states (e.g., Florida, New York, NJ) and optional elsewhere. If available, it might be mandatory for all motorized vehicles.
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Example: A PIP limit might be $10,000; that can pay not only hospital bills but also a portion of your lost income while recovering.
If you live in a state that doesn’t require PIP (like most states), consider adding MedPay as an alternative.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist – protection for you
Although not always labeled “personal accident,” Uninsured Motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage can function similarly:
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If an uninsured driver hits you, your UM covers your medical expenses (like MedPay).
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This is mandatory in some states and optional in others. It’s an important backup if someone else causes your injuries.
Why add these covers?
Without them, you or your health insurance would pay your medical costs. Motorcycle crashes often result in serious injuries; even a short hospital stay can cost thousands. Adding MedPay/PIP ensures you have immediate coverage.
Example: Progressive notes that adding $5k MedPay might cost only ~$10/year, but that $5k could cover major emergency care after a crash.
Always balance cost vs. benefit: If you have strong health insurance, the need is less, but a zero-deductible MedPay can be worth it for any residual expenses.