Motorcycle PIP vs. MedPay in Washington State: How Injured Riders Can Cover Immediate Medical Bills
In Washington State, standard Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance does not cover motorcycles. Injured riders must rely on alternative coverages like MedPay or private health insurance to avoid having their emergency room bills sent to collections while awaiting a settlement.
A major motorcycle crash can leave you with broken bones, road rash, and a rapidly growing pile of hospital bills. Many riders in Washington State mistakenly believe their standard auto Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy will cover these emergency expenses. Unfortunately, under Wash. Rev. Code § 48.22.085, standard PIP mandates explicitly do not apply to motorcycles. Insurance companies are not legally required to offer PIP for motorcycles, and most simply choose not to. This critical insurance loophole means you must be proactive in exploring alternative ways to cover your immediate medical bills before a bodily injury settlement is reached.
Because dealing with medical providers, insurance adjusters, and debt collectors is overwhelming while you are trying to heal, finding a knowledgeable attorney through our US Lawyers Directory is incredibly important. A skilled local lawyer can negotiate with hospitals and health insurers on your behalf, ensuring you are not crushed by medical debt.
Step-by-Step Process to Cover Immediate Medical Bills in Washington State
Riders injured in Bellevue, Everett, and Vancouver face the exact same challenges when hospital bills pile up. Following these steps helps secure your finances while your personal injury claim is pending.
Step 1: Identifying Your Insurance Coverages and Utilizing MedPay
Since PIP is generally unavailable for Washington motorcyclists, you should immediately check your motorcycle policy to see if you purchased Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. MedPay acts similarly to PIP but is often capped at smaller amounts, typically between $1,000 and $10,000. It pays for your medical bills regardless of who was at fault for the crash. You must contact your auto insurer to open a MedPay claim right away so your hospital and physical therapists can bill them directly until the coverage limit is exhausted.
Step 2: Relying on Private Health Insurance
If you lack MedPay, or once your MedPay is exhausted, your private health insurance is your next line of defense. Give your health insurance card to the emergency room staff immediately. However, be aware that your health insurer will not pay without conditions. They will place a subrogation lien on your future bodily injury settlement, meaning they legally expect to be paid back from the settlement money you eventually receive from the at-fault car driver.
Step 3: Navigating Subrogation Liens
Dealing with subrogation liens is complex. Under Washington law, particularly the rules established in the landmark case Mahler v. Szucs, 135 Wash. 2d 398 (WA Supreme Court 1998), health insurers must share in the cost of your attorney fees if they want to be reimbursed from your settlement. This is known as the 'Mahler rule.' An experienced attorney can use this rule to negotiate and reduce the health insurance lien significantly, putting more settlement money directly into your pocket.
Step 4: The Dangers of Riding Bare
Riding without MedPay or private health insurance (often called riding 'bare') is incredibly risky in Washington State. If you are injured and lack first-party coverage, you will be personally responsible for all hospital bills until your liability case settles against the at-fault driver. This process can take years, and hospitals rarely wait that long for payment.
Step 5: Preventing Collections
To prevent hospitals from sending your bills to collections and ruining your credit score, your attorney can step in. They can often issue a letter of protection to the medical provider or manage statutory medical provider liens under Wash. Rev. Code § 60.44.010. If you face unfair billing practices or bad faith actions from your own insurance company regarding MedPay, you can file a Form OIC Consumer Complaint, Washington, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Insurance Complaint Form with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Olympia.
How Much Does MedPay Cost in Washington?
Adding MedPay to your Washington State motorcycle policy is generally very affordable and provides immense peace of mind. Here is an overview of potential insurance-related costs and limits.
| Motorcycle MedPay Premium | $20 to $100 per year (varies by rider) |
| Standard MedPay Limits | $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 per accident |
| Health Insurance Co-pays | Varies by policy ($50 to $500 per ER visit) |
| Attorney Fee for Lien Negotiation | Usually included in the standard contingency fee |
How Long Does It Take to Resolve Subrogation Liens?
Using MedPay or health insurance gets your bills paid immediately, typically within 30 to 60 days of billing. However, resolving the subrogation liens attached to those payments happens at the very end of your case. Once your lawyer secures a settlement from the at-fault driver in a venue like the Superior Court of Washington, Spokane County, Spokane, negotiating the final lien reduction with the Washington State Health Care Authority, Olympia (if you are on Medicaid) or a private health insurer can take an additional 30 to 90 days before your final check is disbursed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are motorcycles excluded from standard PIP in Washington?
Motorcycles are excluded from mandatory PIP offerings under Washington law because the high rate of severe injuries in motorcycle crashes makes broad PIP coverage financially unviable for auto insurance companies to offer at standard rates.
Will my health insurance deny my claim because it was a motorcycle crash?
Generally, no. Standard major medical health insurance policies cover injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes, provided you were not committing a felony or participating in a professional race at the time of the crash.
What is a Letter of Protection?
A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a legal document drafted by your attorney and sent to a doctor or hospital. It guarantees that their medical bills will be paid directly out of your future settlement, asking them to pause all collections activity in the meantime.
Can I use both MedPay and my private health insurance?
Yes. You typically use your MedPay first to cover emergency deductibles and co-pays. Once MedPay is exhausted, your private health insurance steps in to cover the remaining major medical expenses.
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