Reader’s Question:

My auto insurance broker says that my medical bills will be covered if ever I should get into an accident. Not only that, but they’ll also cover the expenses of anyone else that gets hurt when I get into an accident. Is this true?

P.D. Louise

Portland, ME

For your medical bill coverage, that depends entirely on the contract you signed with your auto insurance broker. Words are one thing, but what’s signed on paper is a totally different thing. You may or may not be paying for personal medical coverage when you get into an accident. If you are, and it reflects in your contract, then your medical bills will definitely be covered by your insurance company.

The case is different for anyone else that gets hurt, though. If you’re found to be at fault, then your insurance company will cover the medical bills of the injured parties up to a certain point. If that point is exceeded, then you’re going to have to pay the excess costs from your own pockets. If your insurance plan will pay up to $50,000 in medical coverage, and the medical bills of the injured parties reached up to $75,000, you’re going to have pay the excess $25,000 from your own pocket.

But if you’re not found to be at fault, and you were the one who was a “victim” in an auto accident, then it is the other party’s insurance company who’ll cover your medical bills. If they refuse to pay up, you can then call up your lawyer to settle things in court.