Handel on the law, auto insurance rewind

On Saturday morning I was sitting in the parking lot waiting for my daughter's track meet to start. I decided it was a good time to visit an old friend. I put the radio on am 640. It was 8:00 in the morning and it was time for Handel on the Law. Bill Handel has been doing his radio show forever in the Los Angeles area and it is always entertaining. In the past I have done an insurance rewind and answered some of his insurance questions with a little bit more knowledge and explanation. I decided it was time to do another episode.
Now, usually the insurance questions come fast and furious. But, this episode started out with a German guy who Handel insisted was Indian. Another guy who was being evicted from his apartment called for help. Classic Handel kicked him to the curb and told him to call the housing department for an answer. 
Finally, we got a call from a lady who had been in a auto accident about a year ago. She went on to explain that she was hit by another car and had suffered some injuries. Apparently, she was using her Medical Payment coverage from her auto insurance to cover deductibles and other medical bills. She seemed a little confused why her auto insurance company was telling her they would need to get repaid for the money they paid on her behalf.  Handel was quick to move on from this call and told her she should read her policy declaration. Thanks Handel!
I believe that there was a little confusion between this woman's claims adjuster and herself. The adjuster may have meant that when they subrogate from the other insurance company they will try to collect the money they paid. Basically, subrogation is a term that an insurance company uses when they send a demand letter to the opposing insurance carrier to collect monies they paid out.
In short yes this woman's insurance company will want their money back. But, they are not seeking it from their insured. They are seeking from the other insurance carrier. It will be part of all the bills they paid for including damage to the vehicle.
Medical Payment can be a bit of a confusing coverage for people. The way I explain it to people is that it is coverage for any injuries you may sustain in an auto accident. You can use it for dental work, broken bones, massages and other things that you may need to recover from an accident. It is primary coverage and it can be used if you are at fault or someone else is at fault.
Now over the years insurance companies have been reducing this coverage and limiting your options. Auto insurance companies really don't want to be in the injury business. Most companies have capped this coverage. And in the past you could by excess medical which was designed to be an addition to your health insurance. Most companies got rid of that. To make their lives easier they made it primary coverage and capped the amount they would pay.
That's the only insurance call I had time for on Saturday. If you have any insurance questions please feel free to give me a call at 951-395-0754,