Does auto insurance cover massage therapy after an accident?
Auto insurance is not likely to pay for massage therapy after an accident unless it is prescribed by a doctor. Even then, auto insurance will not cover massage therapy unless it is deemed "reasonable" and "medically necessary". If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to seek compensation for massage therapy from the other driver's car insurance.
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Maria Hanson
Insurance and Finance Writer
Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability. Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life i...
Insurance and Finance Writer
UPDATED: Jul 4, 2024
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UPDATED: Jul 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Drivers can be left with aches and pains after an accident. Many drivers seek relief through massage therapy. But will car insurance cover the cost of massage therapy after an accident? Or will you be forced to pay for massage therapy out of pocket?
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about whether or not car insurance covers massage therapy.
Most Insurance Companies Do Not Cover Massage Therapy
Generally, car insurance companies will not cover the cost of massage therapy after the accident. Car insurance can cover your medical bills – or the medical bills of any other people you injured. However, massage therapy does not typically fall under this coverage.
If you live in a no-fault state, then your medical bills will be covered by your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If you live in an at-fault state (like most states), then the bodily injury liability coverage of the at-fault driver will cover any medical expenses.
Insurance Companies May Cover Massage Therapy If Prescribed By a Doctor
It’s rare for car insurance to cover the costs of massage therapy. However, it’s not totally unheard of.
Your best option is to get a prescription for massage therapy from a doctor. If a physician prescribes massage therapy to treat your injuries after an accident, then your auto insurance – or the auto insurance of the at-fault driver – may cover the costs of massage therapy.
Some massage therapists work specifically with car insurance companies. Payments are made directly from the insurance company to the massage therapist.
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Massage Therapy Must Be “Medically Necessary” and “Reasonable”
To determine whether or not massage therapy should be covered, your insurance company will investigate whether or not your massage therapy is “medically necessary” and “reasonable”.
Is your massage therapy genuinely needed to help you get better? Are you medically required to get massage therapy as a direct result of your auto accident injuries? Or is massage therapy just something that will make you temporarily feel better?
Furthermore, does the massage therapist charge reasonable prices? Is the price of massage therapy similar to the prices charged by other providers in the region? Is the client receiving too much massage therapy? Or is the client receiving a normal number of massage therapy sessions compared to car accident victims?
If you legitimately need massage therapy to make yourself ‘whole’ again after an accident, then it’s possible for car insurance to cover the cost of massage therapy.
Some Drivers Commit Insurance Fraud When Requesting Massage Therapy Coverage
If massage therapy is medically necessary and priced reasonably, then your car insurance company could cover it.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often push back against massage therapy coverage because there’s a huge problem with fraud.
It’s difficult for the insurance company to determine if massage therapy is medically necessary and reasonably priced, so they just refuse to cover it at all.
CBS News, for example, recently covered a story about drivers in Florida illegally claiming massage therapy expenses after an accident. It’s a popular form of insurance fraud:
“Scam artists have found a way to milk this [no-fault car insurance] cash cow with “swoop and squat” car crashes…and in some instances, they even create fake crashes using only paperwork.”
After creating a crash scene, the fraudsters visit massage therapists and other professionals who are aware of the scam:
“The ringleaders, or brokers, organize “spider webs” of chiropractors, massage therapists and fake clinics to provide nonexistent X-rays and fraudulent diagnoses that overwhelm insurers with thousands of claims that are rushed through immediately after the “accident.””
Stories like this are particularly common in no-fault states, where personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is specifically designed to cover the immediate costs after an accident. Scammers take advantage of these systems to rack up fraudulent claims – like for massage therapy.
This is one reason why insurance companies are hesitant to cover massage therapy after an accident.
Consider Hiring an Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident and were not at-fault, then the other driver may be personally liable for your injuries, car repairs, and other expenses.
If the insurance company is pushing back against you, or if the insurance company is using its own lawyers to intimidate you, then you may want to hire your own attorney. A good car accident attorney will push back against the insurance company, fighting to make sure your massage therapy costs and other expenses are covered.
An attorney can also help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, holding the other driver personally liable for any additional expenses beyond what’s covered by car insurance.
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Conclusion: It’s Rare for Car Insurance to Cover Massage Therapy (But Not Unheard Of)
Generally, car insurance companies will not cover the costs of massage therapy. However, if massage therapy is deemed “medically necessary” and “reasonable” after your accident, then it’s certainly possible for massage therapy to be covered by car insurance.
Ask your doctor for a prescription for massage therapy. Without a prescription, it’s unlikely car insurance will cover the cost of massage therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover massage therapy after an accident?
Auto insurance is not likely to pay for massage therapy after an accident unless it is prescribed by a doctor. Even then, auto insurance will not cover massage therapy unless it is deemed “reasonable” and “medically necessary”. If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to seek compensation for massage therapy from the other driver’s car insurance.
Will car insurance cover the cost of massage therapy?
In most cases, car insurance companies do not cover the cost of massage therapy after an accident. However, there are rare instances where car insurance may cover it if it is prescribed by a doctor and deemed “medically necessary” and “reasonable” by the insurance company.
How can I get car insurance to cover massage therapy?
To increase the chances of car insurance covering massage therapy, you would need a prescription from a doctor stating that it is necessary for your recovery. The insurance company will then evaluate the medical necessity and reasonableness of the therapy before deciding whether to provide coverage.
Why do insurance companies hesitate to cover massage therapy after an accident?
Insurance companies are often hesitant to cover massage therapy due to the prevalence of insurance fraud. Some individuals have been known to create fake accidents and fraudulent claims for massage therapy expenses. This makes it difficult for insurance companies to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent claims, leading to reluctance to provide coverage.
Should I hire an attorney if my car insurance denies coverage for massage therapy?
If your car insurance denies coverage for massage therapy and you believe it should be covered, it may be helpful to consult with an attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process and negotiate with the insurance company to secure the coverage you believe you are entitled to. They can also assist with filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, if necessary.
Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once!
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Maria Hanson
Insurance and Finance Writer
Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability. Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life i...
Insurance and Finance Writer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.