Medical payments coverage can apply to insurance coverage on both motor vehicles and premises involved in an accident.
With regard to premises, medical payments coverage will generally pay for injuries sustained by anyone hurt on the premises. Thus, if you have medical payments coverage as a part of your homeowners insurance and someone falls while visiting you, your medical payments coverage will pay for medical expenses up to the limits of the coverage regardless of who was at fault for the injuries suffered. Generally, the premise owner is not covered, so you can’t collect medical payments coverage if you fall at your own home.
Medical payments coverage under your auto insurance works differently. This insurance is designed to protect you and your passengers. If you, or someone else covered under your insurance policy, is injured in an accident involving your covered automobile, your medical payments coverage will cover costs incurred as a result of the injuries sustained. (See RSA 264:16). Effective January 1, 2011, such expenses must be incurred during the three year period following the date the injuries were sustained. Previously, RSA 264:16 limited this coverage to medical bills incurred within only one year of the date of the injury.
If you have suffered an injury and would like more information regarding medical payments coverage and how it might apply to your specific situation, contact the personal injury attorneys at Bianco Professional Association by calling 603-225-7170, toll-free at 800-262-8112, or by sending a message through our contact form. You may also contact the New Hampshire Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-852-3416.
