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Voluntary medical payments is home insurance coverage for minor medical claims, which can be used if someone outside of your household gets hurt on your property. Most home insurance plans – whether it’s named perils, broad form or comprehensive – include voluntary medical payments coverage, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing it separately, as an add-on. That said, you should still talk to your provider about specific coverages and limits.
Accidents happen after all, and whether you are liable or not for an incident that occurs in your home, you’ll want to be protected for medical costs.
Generally, most voluntary medical payments coverage for home insurance will cover:
In Ontario, most insurers offer coverage for voluntary medical payments between $5,000 and $10,000 without a deductible ($5,000 is the most common amount of coverage). Insurers will also limit the payments to within one year of the date of the injury at your home.
| Voluntary medical payments coverage | Personal liability coverage |
|---|---|
| Protects you from reasonable or minor medical expenses within one year of the accident, whether you are liable or not. The injury must occur on your property. | Protects you if you unintentionally cause harm or property damage at your home or anywhere else. |
| Protection can range from $5,000 to $10,000 of expenses, but typically sits at the $5,000 range for most providers. | Coverage can be as high as $1 million to $2 million for most plans. |
| Does not cover property damage and can only be used for minor medical expenses. | This covers both property damage and/or bodily injury you cause to others at your home or anywhere in the world. |
| You are not (necessarily) legally liable for the injuries someone sustained on your property. You are volunteering to help the injured party with additional medical costs. | You must have been deemed liable or personally responsible for causing an injury. |
There are certain things that are not covered by voluntary medical payments for home insurance. They include:
Covered medical expenses: Costs that are already covered by Medicare, such as medical, dental, surgical or hospitalization coverage.
Your medical expenses: Medical costs applicable to you or anyone living with you (household staff are exceptions) will not be covered, as this coverage is meant specifically for individuals outside your household.
Anything covered by Workers' Compensation: Medical expenses covered by Workers’ Compensation, a provincial insurance program that protects employees from work-related injuries or illnesses.
Loss of income: Any expenses connected to loss of income will not be covered by this.
Payments for voluntary medical payments coverage can range from $5,000 to $10,000 in some jurisdictions, but typically cover about $5,000 per person with no deductible.
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Generally, there are no deductibles for voluntary medical payments coverage. This is meant to cover you for minor medical expenses if someone is unintentionally harmed on your property, whether you are liable or not.
All insurance coverage is about protection. In the case of voluntary medical payments home insurance coverage, you are protecting your home – likely your most important asset.
Because medical costs from injuries can add up, it’s important to consider if voluntary medical payments coverage is right for you. You can discuss your needs and costs with your local insurance provider. It’s also important to remember that you are not liable for all injuries that occur on your property. This is a voluntary form of insurance, so the extra cost will depend on your needs.
If you run a business from home and anticipate having people come and go, voluntary medical payments coverage could be a good fit for you. It is included in most home insurance plans already, but coverage tends to vary.
Making a claim for voluntary medical payments would be similar to other home insurance claims. It’s important to review your insurance policy and see what you are covered for. There may be exclusions or issues that are not covered.
Once you’re sure you are covered, contact your insurance provider to start the claims process. Most companies allow you to do so online.
Note that making a claim of any kind is likely to increase your premiums when you renew your policy.
It depends on the situation. Ideally, if you can determine the need for voluntary medical expense coverage immediately after an injury, it’s best to file a claim as soon as possible. However, insurance policies do allow for coverage up to one year from the date of the injury. Therefore, if any injuries or medical expenses present themselves at a later date (but within the limited time), you will have that buffer to make a claim after the fact.
Coverage can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per person. Most policies cover at the $5,000 range. Be sure to speak to your provider to make sure.
Joel Kranc
About the Author
Joel Kranc is an award-winning writer, author and journalist. Most of his experience lies within the institutional investment and financial services space. He also covers a variety of business topics for publications in North America and the UK.
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