What MedPay covers
MedPay covers the cost of medical care if you or your passengers are hurt in a crash, and it pays no matter who was at fault.
It is coverage you choose when you buy your auto policy, so not every driver has it. Coverage amounts vary by policy. Your declarations page, or your agent, can tell you whether you have MedPay and how much.
Source: California Department of Insurance, Automobile Insurance guide.
How it generally works in California
- Report the crash to your own insurance company and ask whether your policy includes MedPay.
- Your insurer opens a medical payments claim. Bills from your care are sent to that claim.
- Each payment counts against your MedPay limit. When the limit is used up, other coverage may apply, such as a claim against the at-fault driver or your uninsured motorist coverage.
- Some policies let the insurer be paid back from a later settlement (this is called subrogation). Your policy language says whether yours does.
These are the general steps. The exact rules are in your policy.
MedPay compared with health insurance
MedPay is part of your auto policy and applies to injuries from a crash. Health insurance is a separate policy with its own networks and rules. Oakland Accident Care does not bill health insurance. If a health plan does pay for crash-related care, it may have a right to be paid back from what you recover.
MedPay compared with the other driver's liability coverage
The other driver's liability coverage pays for injuries they are legally responsible for, so it depends on who was at fault, and it is usually paid through a claim or settlement rather than visit by visit. MedPay is on your own policy and does not wait for a decision about fault.
California's minimum liability limits for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 are $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage.
Source: California Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2). Last checked September 23, 2026.
Using MedPay at Oakland Accident Care
Auto insurance, MedPay, PIP, and liens accepted. The clinic does not bill health insurance or workers' comp. We check your policy before your first visit, and what you owe is confirmed in writing before your first visit.
Related: medical liens for accident care, when the other driver had no insurance, and the accident insurance glossary.
Common questions
Does MedPay pay if the crash was my fault?
Yes. MedPay pays for medical care for you and your passengers no matter who was at fault, up to the limit on your policy.
How much MedPay do I have?
Coverage amounts vary by policy. Your declarations page, or your insurance agent, can tell you whether you have MedPay and the limit.
Is MedPay the same as PIP?
No. Both are on your own policy, but PIP (personal injury protection) is built for no-fault states and can also cover things like lost income. California is not a no-fault state, so PIP is less common here than MedPay.
Can I use MedPay and still make a claim against the other driver?
Often, yes, but your policy may let your insurer be paid back from that later recovery. An attorney can explain how the two fit together in your case.