Car accident costs if you don’t have insurance

car insurance mechanic estimating damage costs

It’s common for people to think they can go without insurance, especially if they’re rarely sick or need medical care. As all too many find out, however, this can easily become a costly mistake. While there are plenty of ways to land yourself in the emergency room, auto accidents remain one of the most expensive. Here’s how much you might have to pay without insurance. 

The Ambulance

Depending on the severity of the accident, you might have to rely on EMTs and an ambulance to transport you to the hospital. The cost of an ambulance ride varies from one location to the next, but you can expect to pay between $224 and $2,204 for a single trip. 

A Hospital Stay

The average hospital stay without insurance costs, (are you ready?) $10,000. If you’re over 45, that price jumps to $12,500. Those aged 18 to 44 will pay less on average, but most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on in-hospital care. 

Urgent Care Clinics

Let’s say your accident wasn’t quite so severe. You could always head to an urgent care clinic for treatment to save money, but how much can you save without insurance? As it turns out, a lot. The cost would range between $71 and $125. Keep in mind, however, anything too serious for a clinic to treat means you’re headed to the hospital anyway. 

CT Scans, MRIs, and X-Rays

Various injuries require scans to detail the amount of damage done. Bone, blood vessel, and tissue damage requires a series of CT or CAT scans. Those will run you anywhere between $270 and $4,800 based on what part of your body needs scanned. 

As for MRIs, you can expect to pay in-between $400 and $3,500 depending on where you need monitored. X-Rays can run you somewhere between $260 and $460 based on location. Don’t forget that X-rays usually mean broken bones, which cost $2,500 for non-surgical treatments. 

Physical Therapy

If your injuries are severe enough, you might need to undergo physical therapy. Each session can range from $50 to $350, but keep in mind that you will need multiple sessions in order to recover. In a hospital setting, as opposed to a clinic, you’re going to pay a much higher price. 


Head injuries are common in auto accidents, with many leading to concussions. Treating this condition isn’t cheap, with the average price tag hanging around $18,454. That price can increase in combination with other treatments. 

Why Insurance Matters

If you tally up these totals, the medical costs of your accident would be between $32,479 and $48,743. That’s as much as a brand-new car and far more than most people have sitting in the bank. Of course, your costs will vary based on the injuries you receive. These figures also exclude surgery, so take that into consideration as well. 

With health insurance, the majority of these expenses are covered. You might still have a copay, but even that is capped at a low amount. While you might not think you need health insurance, you’ll wish you had it if you ever find yourself in an accident.