Chances are, if you own a car, you are paying for some unnecessary “extras.” For example, if you already have health insurance, why is auto insurance “health coverage” needed? Have you ever asked your auto insurance company what this means? So what if you are in a car accident and injured? Will your current health insurance wait for your auto insurance to kick in because you have this “health coverage,” which delays claims? How long will this take and will this affect your health insurance coverage due to a “long delay”, costing you more out-of-pocket medical expenses because you missed filing day? It all sounds very familiar, right? But if you don’t have health insurance and are injured in a car accident, this “medical coverage” can help pay for some of your medical bills (it did in my case).

In general, this “medical part” of your auto insurance MAY cover the following, but be sure to ask your auto insurance representative to explain:

• Some funeral expenses
• Passengers who could be injured while you or a member of your family is driving
• If you are an injured passenger in someone else’s car
• If you are hit by a car while walking or biking
• If you need dental care after an accident.
• If you need long-term nursing services or hospitalization during rehabilitation
• If you need a prosthesis

So if you’re doing a “summer cleanup” and trying to discover some cost savings because you’re worried about that mysterious spike in your health insurance premium, be sure to call your auto insurance and start asking questions (and make sure documenting responses).

Get started with these preparation questions: Do you really need the option to rent a car if you have a new car? How does this loss of income really help you, and in what situation? When does this bodily injury actually occur and in what part of your body?

When you feel heated to the point that the auto insurance representative is sweating, start asking about “medical expense payments.” What is the minimum essential requirement in your state? What does it cover? How does it compare to your current health insurance? When does it go into action?

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for more discounts, including new discounts which you might qualify for. In the end, you may find that you have saved a couple hundred on your car insurance; enough to pay her new health insurance premiums … I know I did 🙂