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Colorado MedPay After a Car Accident: The $5,000 Coverage Most Drivers Already Have

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published November 1, 2026

Short answer: Colorado auto policies include $5,000 of medical payments coverage (MedPay) unless the named insured rejected it in writing or in the same way the policy was applied for. MedPay pays reasonable medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, regardless of fault. It pays before health insurance and can cover health-plan deductibles and coinsurance.

Colorado is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the damage. But fault decisions take time, and medical bills arrive quickly. That is where medical payments coverage, usually called MedPay, comes in. Colorado law makes it part of most auto policies by default, and many drivers do not realize they have it until after a crash.

The short video below covers the basics in about half a minute. It uses licensed stock footage of roads and paperwork, not footage of any real crash or injury. The full guide follows.

The $5,000 default

Under C.R.S. § 10-4-635, an auto liability policy issued in Colorado must include medical payments coverage with benefits of $5,000. A policy may be issued without it only if the named insured rejects MedPay in writing or in the same medium in which the application was taken, such as online or by phone.

The law adds two protections worth knowing:

In short, unless you remember turning it down, there is a good chance you have it. Check your declarations page to be sure.

What MedPay pays

The Colorado Division of Insurance explains that MedPay pays reasonable health care expenses for you and your passengers for bodily injury caused by an auto accident, regardless of fault. That last part matters. You do not have to wait for the insurers to agree on who caused the crash.

The statute also gives trauma care a priority. When the insurer learns of an accident, it must reserve $5,000 of MedPay for ambulance, air ambulance, trauma physician and trauma center bills for up to 30 days. After that period, any unused reserve can pay other medical providers.

How MedPay fits with other coverage

MedPay is one piece of the picture. After a Colorado crash, several coverages can work together:

The statute also limits an insurer's ability to seek repayment of MedPay benefits from the at-fault driver, and it does not prevent you from also recovering under uninsured motorist coverage. State rules vary, so a driver injured in another state may find MedPay works differently there. Call (888) 217-5854 for free quotes.

How to use MedPay after a crash

1. Get medical care first. Your health comes before paperwork.
2. Tell your auto insurer promptly and say you want to open a medical payments claim.
3. Give providers your auto claim number. Many will bill the auto insurer directly.
4. Keep copies of every bill, explanation of benefits and receipt.
5. Track the limit. Once MedPay is used up, bills move to your health plan or the at-fault driver's insurer.
6. Ask about passengers. Each injured passenger may have their own MedPay claim under your policy.

Should you keep or raise MedPay?

MedPay is often worth reviewing when you shop for a policy. It can help if you have a high-deductible health plan, often carry passengers or want quick payment that does not wait on fault decisions. If you have rejected it in the past, you can ask your insurer to add it back. Higher limits cost more, and pricing depends on your insurer.

FAQ

Do I have MedPay in Colorado?

Probably. Colorado policies include $5,000 of MedPay unless the named insured rejected it in writing or in the same medium used to apply. Your declarations page will show it.

Does Colorado MedPay pay if I caused the crash?

Yes. The Colorado Division of Insurance says MedPay pays for you and your passengers regardless of fault.

Does MedPay pay before my health insurance?

Yes. The Division of Insurance says MedPay pays before health insurance and applies toward your health plan's deductible and coinsurance.

Does MedPay cover my passengers?

Yes. It covers passengers you authorized to ride in your insured vehicle who are injured in the accident.

Is MedPay required on motorcycles in Colorado?

No. Insurers are not required to offer the $5,000 MedPay on motorcycles, low-power scooters, off-road vehicles and certain other vehicles.

Questions about your coverage? Call a licensed agent at (888) 217-5854 to compare free quotes.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.