Compensation for the medical bills is straight reimbursement. Compensation for pain and suffering is an amount in addition to the medical bills based on the medical reports which document the nature and extent of your injury.If the policy limit is $15,000, that is the maximum you can receive.  If that amount just covers your medical bills, then you would not receive adequate compensation for pain and suffering.  Your only recourse is to reject the settlement offer and sue the at-fault party for negligence.