I was scrubbing bird poop off my solar panels when I slipped on the wet fiberglass. I fell 10 feet, breaking my wrist and fracturing a rib. The ambulance ride and surgery cost $18,000. I thought my auto insurance “Medical Payments” would cover it. I was wrong. The adjuster said, “Medical Payments cover you while occupying the vehicle during an accident. You were doing maintenance.”
Key Takeaways
- Auto MedPay is Limited: “Medical Payments” (MedPay) on auto policies usually has a low limit ($1,000 to $5,000) and strict definitions of “accident.”
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection): In some states, PIP might cover this, but it is often tied to “operating” the vehicle.
- Health Insurance is Primary: For full-timers, your standard Health Insurance is your only real safety net for falls, burns, or cuts while living in the van.
- Liability Doesn’t Cover YOU: Your “Full-Timer Liability” covers other people who get hurt on your property. It never covers the policyholder.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Occupying vs. Maintaining” Distinction.
Auto insurance is designed for crashes. If you are driving and crash, MedPay helps. If you are parked and fixing the roof, you are essentially a homeowner doing maintenance. Auto policies exclude “bodily injury to the insured” except in specific driving scenarios.
Since you don’t have Worker’s Comp (it’s your own RV), and you don’t have Homeowner’s insurance (which also excludes the owner), you are stuck in the middle.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Coverage)
I checked the fine print on MedPay.
Geico
- The Clause: Covers bodily injury caused by an accident “involving a motor vehicle.”
- The Denial: They argued that falling off the roof while parked is not a “motor vehicle accident.” It is a slip-and-fall.
Good Sam (Health)
- The Product: Good Sam sells specific health insurance plans for RVers.
- The Reality: This is just brokered major medical insurance (PPO/HMO). It works, but it’s expensive.
Spot Injury Insurance
- The Alternative: There are new “On-Demand Injury” policies (like Spot) that cover you for accidental injuries (hiking, biking, or falling off an RV) for ~$25/month. This fills the gap left by high-deductible health plans.
[IMAGE: X-ray of a fractured wrist with an overlay of an insurance denial letter]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Auto MedPay | Full-Timer Liability | Health Insurance |
| Covers YOU? | Yes (Limited scenarios) | No (Others only) | Yes |
| Scenario | Crash / Traffic Accident | Guest slips on step | Fall / Sickness |
| Limit | Low ($5k) | High ($300k) | Unlimited (after deductible) |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | High ($5k+) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t rely on MedPay: View MedPay as “co-pay money” for a car crash. Do not view it as medical insurance.
- Get Nationwide Health Insurance: If you travel, you need a PPO plan (like Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO) that works in all 50 states. Avoid HMOs that only work in your domicile state.
- Use a Safety Harness: 2026 tech: Buy a suction-cup anchor point for the roof or a tie-off. Prevention is cheaper than surgery.
- Check “Spot” Insurance: Consider a supplemental accident policy if your health insurance has a $6,000 deductible. It pays cash for broken bones.
FAQ
What if a friend falls off my roof helping me?
Your “Vacation Liability” or “Full-Timer Liability” SHOULD cover them. They are a third party.
Does travel insurance (like World Nomads) cover this?
Maybe. If you are on a “trip” >100 miles from home. But standard travel insurance often excludes “manual labor” or “high-risk activities.” Read the exclusions.
Is this a Worker’s Comp claim?
Only if the RV is owned by your business and you were “working” at the time. If it’s a personal RV, no.