If you are in a car accident and need to go to the hospital, the ambulance bill can surprise you. Many drivers in the United States wonder if their car insurance will pay for ambulance rides. The short answer is yes, but only under specific types of coverage. If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay), your insurance can help pay ambulance costs after a crash. These coverages are designed to handle medical expenses that follow an accident, no matter who was at fault.
The cost of an ambulance ride in the United States can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on distance and emergency care. Without proper coverage, you may have to pay that bill yourself. In this guide, we explain when car insurance pays for ambulance rides, how much it can cover, what your options are if you are uninsured, and how to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand exactly which coverages protect you, how claims work, and what to do if your insurer refuses to pay.
When Does Car Insurance Cover Ambulance Rides?
Car insurance covers ambulance rides mainly through two optional medical coverages:
| Coverage Type | Description | Covers Ambulance Ride? |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Required in no-fault states. Pays for your medical bills, lost income, and ambulance costs regardless of who caused the accident. | Yes |
| Medical Payments (MedPay) | Optional in most states. Covers you and your passengers’ medical expenses, including ambulance fees. | Yes |
| Liability Coverage | Covers injuries you cause to others. It can pay ambulance bills for the other driver or passengers you injured. | For others only |
| Health Insurance | May help pay leftover ambulance charges after auto coverage is used. | Partial |
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is mandatory in 12 no-fault states such as Florida, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. PIP helps cover:
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital visits and surgeries
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
If you live in a no-fault state, you must first use your PIP benefits before turning to health insurance. This means your car insurance pays your ambulance costs directly up to your policy limit, often $10,000 to $25,000.
Example
You live in Florida and get injured in a minor crash. The ambulance bill is $1,200. Your PIP limit is $10,000. Your insurer pays the full ambulance bill, leaving you responsible only for any deductible if your plan requires one.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
If your state doesn’t require PIP, you can still protect yourself with MedPay. It functions similarly but focuses only on medical expenses. MedPay often covers:
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency treatment
- Doctor visits and X-rays
- Funeral costs (in severe cases)
Coverage limits are usually between $1,000 and $10,000. It supplements health insurance, paying first after a crash.
Example
A driver in Texas with $5,000 MedPay coverage is taken by ambulance costing $1,800. The insurer reimburses the full amount, while the driver’s health plan covers any hospital balance.
Liability Coverage and Third-Party Ambulance Costs
If you cause an accident that injures another driver or pedestrian, your bodily injury liability coverage may pay their ambulance and hospital bills.
However, liability does not cover your own injuries. You would need PIP, MedPay, or health insurance for yourself.
Key Point
Liability only helps others, not you. Always check if you have personal medical protection on your policy.
How Much Does an Ambulance Ride Cost?
Ambulance fees vary widely by state and service type.
| Service Type | Average Cost (Nationwide) |
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | $700 – $900 |
| Advanced Life Support (ALS) | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Mileage (per mile) | $10 – $25 |
| Air Ambulance (Helicopter) | $15,000 – $40,000 |
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), average emergency ground transport bills exceed $900, and air ambulance costs can surpass $30,000 if not insured.
Who Pays If You Don’t Have PIP or MedPay?
If you lack these coverages, the payment chain usually follows this order:
- At-fault driver’s liability coverage
- Your health insurance
- Your pocket (remaining balance)
If another driver caused the crash, you can file a claim under their liability policy to recover your ambulance costs.
If fault is unclear, your own health insurance might step in, though it may later seek reimbursement once the claim settles.
How to File a Claim for Ambulance Coverage
Follow these steps after an accident to make sure you get reimbursement:
- Collect details at the scene – police report, photos, insurance information.
- Get an itemized ambulance bill – confirm distance and medical procedures listed.
- Notify your insurer immediately – most require reporting within 24–48 hours.
- Submit documentation – include your bill, proof of accident, and medical reports.
- Track claim progress – stay in touch with your claims adjuster until paid.
Delays or incomplete paperwork can slow your payout, so keep copies of every document.
Does Health Insurance Cover Ambulance Rides After a Crash?
Yes, but only after your auto insurance limits are used.
Health plans may cover part of your ambulance fee but could charge deductibles or copays.
If you have both PIP and health insurance, car insurance is primary and pays first.
Tip
To avoid billing confusion, always give both your auto and health insurance details to the hospital.
Air Ambulance and Car Insurance
Air ambulance rides are far more expensive.
Most standard car insurance policies cover air transport only if medically necessary and under PIP or MedPay.
Some insurers may require pre-authorization or proof that ground transport was impossible.
If your plan does not include air transport, check with your health insurer. Many private health plans cover part of air evacuation costs.
Common Situations and Coverage
| Scenario | Covered by Car Insurance? | Explanation |
| You’re injured and need an ambulance | PIP or MedPay | Covers your medical transport |
| Your passenger is injured | PIP or MedPay | Applies to everyone in your car |
| You cause an accident, and another driver needs an ambulance | Liability | Pays their costs |
| You’re hit by an uninsured driver | UM/UIM + PIP | Your PIP helps pay bills |
| Airlift required | Sometimes | Only if medically needed and included |
States That Require PIP Coverage
| State | Minimum PIP Limit |
| Florida | $10,000 |
| Michigan | Unlimited or selected limit |
| New York | $50,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000 |
| New Jersey | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $8,000 |
| Kansas | $4,500 |
| Utah | $3,000 |
| Hawaii | $10,000 |
| Minnesota | $40,000 |
| North Dakota | $30,000 |
| Oregon | $15,000 |
Drivers in these states automatically have ambulance coverage through PIP up to their limits.
How to Check If Your Policy Covers Ambulance Rides
Review your Declarations Page or contact your agent.
Look for the following terms:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
- Bodily Injury Liability
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
If you don’t see PIP or MedPay listed, you may want to add them. The average cost increase is only $5 to $15 per month.
What If the Insurance Denies Your Ambulance Claim?
If your insurer refuses to pay, take these steps:
- Request a written denial letter – it must explain why coverage was refused.
- Review your policy – confirm limits and exclusions.
- Provide supporting medical documentation showing the ambulance was medically required.
- Appeal the decision through your insurer’s internal review process.
- Contact your state insurance department if the denial seems unfair.
In most cases, denials happen due to missing documentation or unclear medical necessity.
How to Lower Ambulance Costs
Even with coverage, you can reduce out-of-pocket expenses by:
- Choosing in-network hospitals when possible
- Asking for itemized bills to correct errors
- Requesting financial aid or payment plans
- Using MedPay or PIP to avoid health-plan deductibles
- Checking if your employer plan offers accident supplemental coverage
Statistics on Ambulance Billing
- 79% of ambulance patients in the U.S. receive bills exceeding what insurers pay
- 50% of ground ambulance trips are out-of-network, leading to surprise charges
- The average surprise ambulance bill is $450, according to a 2022 Health Affairs report
- Adding MedPay or PIP coverage typically costs less than $150 per year
These numbers show why having the right insurance matters to protect yourself from sudden medical bills.
Best Insurance Companies Offering PIP or MedPay
| Insurer | PIP Availability | MedPay Availability | Notable Feature |
| State Farm | Yes (in no-fault states) | Yes | Affordable add-ons |
| GEICO | Yes | Yes | Online claim tracking |
| Progressive | Yes | Yes | Customizable limits |
| Allstate | Yes | Yes | Accident forgiveness |
| USAA | Yes | Yes | Great for military families |
Adding these coverages can make a major difference during emergencies.
FAQs
Only if your full-coverage policy includes PIP or MedPay. Comprehensive and collision do not pay for medical transport.
Yes, both PIP and MedPay extend to passengers in your car during a covered accident.
Yes, but usually after your car insurance pays its share. You may still owe deductibles or copays.
Yes, if medically necessary and your PIP or MedPay limits allow. Always confirm with your insurer before assuming coverage.
Add PIP or MedPay to your policy and verify your limits are enough to cover at least $2,000 per person for emergency transport.
Conclusion
Ambulance rides are lifesaving but expensive. Whether your car insurance covers them depends on your policy type and state. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) are the key coverages that protect you from paying these costs yourself.
If you are unsure about your policy, review your declarations page or contact your insurance provider to confirm. For many drivers, adding a small monthly premium can save thousands in emergency medical bills.
If you want to compare multiple car insurance quotes that include PIP or MedPay coverage, visit Alias Insurance, a trusted comparison platform where you can get free quotes from top U.S. providers and choose the plan that fits your needs.
