Does car insurance cover ambulance rides?

Most adults must drive at some point in their lives, whether it's to get to and from work or to go on a cross-country road trip. While driving is a common task for most adults, it can still be dangerous to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Every year, approximately 6 million car accidents occur on American roads, and while most drivers do their best to drive defensively, it is not always possible to avoid an accident. In addition, if you are involved in a car accident, the damages to your vehicle can be costly.

However, vehicle damage is not the only issue that can arise as a result of a car accident. There may also be injuries, which may necessitate immediate medical attention in some cases. This means that if you are injured in a car accident, you may end up in the back of an ambulance on its way to the hospital. While the cost may not be top of mind at the time, you will need to know whether the ambulance ride will cost you money out of pocket at some point. So, does your car insurance cover an ambulance ride, or do you have to pay for it yourself? The short answer is that it depends.

When does car insurance cover ambulance rides?

If you have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection as part of your car insurance policy, your insurer will usually cover the cost of taking an ambulance to the hospital after a car accident, regardless of fault. If you do not have this type of coverage and are not at fault, the at-fault driver's bodily injury coverage should pay for the ambulance ride.

What car insurance coverage covers ambulance rides?

While each insurance company has its own limits on how much it will pay for your medical bills, the best car insurance companies provide several financial safeguards that may include ambulance rides. Every policy includes various types of coverage, some of which are required in your state and some of which are optional. The following are the types of insurance that may cover your ambulance company's medical expenses:

• At-fault driver’s bodily injury liability: If another driver is at fault in the accident, their bodily injury liability coverage should cover your ambulance ride. Most states require this coverage.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP is required in some states, known as no-fault states. If you live in one of these states, it is a required part of your policy and may cover your ambulance expenses.
• Medical payments coverage: Medical payments coverage is optional in many states (and required in a few), but if you have it on your policy, it can be a great way to pay for an ambulance ride. It may also cover your ambulance costs if you are injured while riding a bike, walking, or riding in someone else's car.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): It is estimated that one out of every eight drivers is driving without insurance. You may require UM/UIM coverage to protect yourself in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. When the other driver is at fault but uninsured, this type of insurance kicks in and may help pay for some of your medical care, including the ambulance ride.

How much do ambulance rides cost?

Ambulance prices vary greatly depending on where you live, whether the ambulance company is for-profit or nonprofit, and the type of care you receive. There may be a base charge as well as a per-mile surcharge, so your proximity to the nearest hospital may also be a factor.

According to a recent study published in Health Affairs, the average ambulance bill in the United States is $450. If an air ambulance is required, the average cost jumps to $21,698. The costs in many urban areas are higher than in rural areas. As of 2022, residents of Washington, D.C., for example, may be required to pay $1,000 for an ambulance ride, in addition to a mileage fee.

Alternatives to paying for ambulance rides with car insurance

If your auto insurance does not cover the cost of medical care you received while riding in an ambulance, you may have other options. In many cases, combining car insurance and health insurance will cover the costs of an accident.

Health insurance

In some cases, your health insurance policy may cover ambulance costs; however, this is dependent on how your health insurance interacts with your car insurance. In some states, car insurance pays first, while in others, health insurance pays first. In general, a number of factors influence which type of policy is responsible for covering the costs of an ambulance used following a car accident.

Accident insurance

Accident insurance, which is typically purchased through your employer, can be used to pay for ambulance rides in many cases. This type of policy is not available to everyone. It is considered a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, your health insurance. Accident insurance is intended to cover costs that are not covered by health insurance.

However, accident insurance will not be the first place to look for reimbursement for ambulance costs. Accident insurance, like health insurance, may require you to pay a deductible or copay out of pocket. This may be true of your auto insurance as well, but a quick call to your agent and a review of your health and accident paperwork can help you determine which option will save you the most money.