Q: Can sharing medical billing info with my auto insurer affect my coverage?
I was in an accident a couple of months ago where the other party took full accountability, and I settled for the maximum compensation. The other party had minimum coverage, and my auto insurance wasn’t as comprehensive as I thought, so I couldn't get tow or storage fees covered. My insurance company is asking for the medical billing information that the other party paid for, stating they might be able to help more. I'm concerned because I'm unsure what assistance they might offer and whether providing this information could negatively affect my insurance, like increasing my rates or causing them to drop me. Can providing this information to my insurer potentially work against me, or is it safe to proceed?
A: An experienced personal injury attorney is usually the best route as even though they take a piece of the settlement a small piece of a watermelon is often more than the entire grape...
A:
Sharing your medical billing information with your auto insurer in California can feel risky, but in many cases, it’s a standard part of the process when they’re assessing whether they can provide additional support—such as covering expenses through MedPay or underinsured motorist coverage. If they’re requesting the bills that were already paid by the other party’s insurer, it’s likely they’re trying to understand the full picture to determine if they owe you anything further. They may also be exploring whether they can recover some of their costs through subrogation.
That said, it’s natural to worry about your premiums going up. While insurers in California are regulated and can’t raise your rates just for using benefits you’re entitled to, they *can* consider the overall risk profile you present over time. If your insurer believes the accident or your medical history signals greater risk, that could potentially influence future underwriting decisions—but simply submitting billing records after an accident where the other party was at fault usually doesn’t trigger a rate hike or policy cancellation.
If you’re still unsure, you could ask your insurer in writing to explain exactly how they intend to use the information. This gives you something to refer back to and keeps the process more transparent. You have a right to protect your interests and ask questions before handing over personal medical records. Proceed carefully, but don’t assume that cooperation automatically works against you.
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