Thursday, November 12, 2015

Medical Payments to Others vs. Personal Liability Coverage

Medical Payments to Others vs. Personal Liability Coverage

Covers Medical Bills for Guests Injured in Your Home

A guest slips while coming down your stairs and sprains his ankle. Or, maybe a guest bumps her head on an open cabinet door and the cut requires stitches.
Undoubtedly, you do your best to keep your home hazard-free. Yet, accidents will happen. This is where homeowners insurance comes in! Many homeowners insurance policies have two elements that kick in when something happens to a visitor to your home: Personal Liability coverage and Medical Payments to Others coverage. (Note: Neither coverage applies when someone who lives in your home is injured.)

Medical Payment to Others

Medical Payments to Others coverage applies to the costs associated with injuries that happen to guests at your home, regardless of who is at fault.
One example: a guest sprains his ankle on your stairs and has a hospital bill to pay. Medical Payments to Others coverage may reimburse your guest.
Generally, Medical Payments to Others coverage has a relatively low limit. The choices vary by state and by insurance company, but typically the limit is between $1,000 and $5,000.
Pain and suffering and property damage are not covered by Medical Payments to Others coverage.