I hit a deer and was injured in the process. I don't have PIP or MedPay coverage. I have comprehensive and collision coverage on my policy. Will my car insurance company pay for my medical bills?

No, you need personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage in order for your car insurance company to pay for your medical bills. Instead, you'll need to rely on your health insurance, if you have it.

Both MedPay and PIP pay your medical bills and those of your passengers after a car accident, no matter who was at-fault. You're required to have either of these types of coverage if you live in a state with no-fault insurance laws, including New York, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah.

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MedPay generally covers reasonable expenses for medical, surgical, dental and chiropractic treatment, as well as hospitalization, ambulance services, X-rays, nursing services, prosthetic devices and funeral services.

PIP covers the same services as MedPay, as well as psychiatric, physical, occupational therapy and rehabilitation, plus any other professional health services spelled out in a policy. In addition, PIP covers lost wages, reasonable costs other than medical and work-loss expenses, and a small death benefit.

Your comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, will pay for damage to your vehicle, minus the deductible, for your unfortunate collision with a deer. However, comprehensive coverage does not pay for medical treatment. Besides collisions with animals, comprehensive covers damage to a vehicle from natural disasters and vandalism, as well as replacement costs if a vehicle is stolen. Collision covers damage to your vehicle from car accidents.

If you consider getting MedPay or PIP coverage in the future, keep in mind that they are no substitute for broader health insurance. MedPay and PIP cover treatment only from injuries due to car accidents, and few policies offer more than $25,000 worth of coverage.