Last week I received an inquiry from a blog subscriber who had discovered that the medical payments coverage on the auto policies they sell in two states allegedly does not extend to someone injured while riding a bicycle. Most auto insurance medical payments coverage extends to insureds as pedestrians if struck by a vehicle designed for use on public roads. The $64,000 question is, what is a “pedestrian.”
This question has come up on several occasions via questions submitted to the Big “I” Virtual University’s “Ask an Expert” service. As a result, the Big “I” national Technical Affairs Committee asked ISO to consider changing it’s personal and business auto policies to define whether “pedestrian” was limited solely to someone on foot or if the term was also applicable to someone simply moving under human power such as in a wheel chair or on a scooter. I blogged about this last year:
“What is a ‘Pedestrian’ for Auto Medical Payments and UM/UIM Coverage?“
One of the concerns expressed by committee members was differentiating insurance coverage for the handicapped whereby someone in a wheelchair or similar mobility vehicle would not have the same coverage as someone on foot. Would this violate any laws regarding discrimination? This issue still hasn’t been addressed to my knowledge in the marketplace and it doesn’t make a lot of sense that someone is covered while in a motor vehicle or on foot, but not otherwise..
I don’t know the position other insurers have taken. Do YOU know how your carriers treat injuries to “pedestrians” under medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorists, or other coverages?
Bill Wilson
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Top 10 Worst States for Pedestrian Deaths:
https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2018/10/09/10-worst-states-for-pedestrian-deaths/
Unfortunately I do know they won’t cover a bicyclist under med pay or UM/UIM.
just another reason to never buy UM. UIM or med pay on an auto policy. The answer to insurance is rarely more insurance
I’m surprised Bill didn’t respond to this comment. This is probably the worst advice you could give. Having handled auto claims for many years – I cannot stress the value of UM/UIM coverage enough. The cost is minimal.
Tom, I just caught this after 2 years. I agree completely. Why would someone want to provide more coverage to a third party than to themselves? All you have to do is look at the III statistics for how many uninsured motorists are out there, not to mention the even greater number of underinsured motorists. And, in the case of medical payments, the cost is usually incredibly low…I max out my MedPay coverage for pennies on the dollar.