Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements
If you suffer a car crash in Pennsylvania, the right car insurance can make all the difference
Follow these tips from the nation’s leading car and truck accident lawyers
In truth, nobody wants to think that they will ever crash their car. We all think it can’t happen to us. However, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that there are 6 million motor-vehicle accidents in the United States every year. Of that 6 million crashes, 3 million Americans suffer serious injuries. Over 36,000 drivers and passengers die each year. Pennsylvania drivers must carry car insurance by law. However, choosing the right auto insurance is a whole separate matter. In the event of a catastrophic automotive crash, the right auto insurance can make all of the difference. To help you choose the type fo car insurance that is right for you, the nation’s #1 crash lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys provide this information about Pennsylvania car insurance requirements.
Understanding Pennsylvania car insurance law
According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department‘s Automobile Insurance Guide, “drivers must purchase and maintain car insurance in order to legally drive in Pennsylvania.” However, Pennsylvania law requires certain coverages while making others merely optional.
Required car insurance coverages
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits cover medical bills for you and the other people covered under your policy. This insurance coverage does not take fault into account. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to have a minimum cover amount of $5,000. However, you can select a higher limit.
Bodily Injury Liability
If you injure someone in a car accident, body injury liability coverage will cover the victim’s medical and rehabilitation expenses. In addition, it will also pay for any damages for which you are found liable. By law, you must have at least $15,000/$30,000 coverage at minimum. In other words, the $15,000 will cover the injuries of one person. Separately, the $30,000 represents the total coverage available for a single accident.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability will pay for damage to another’s property if you suffer an accident that was your fault. In Pennsylvania, drivers must carry a minimum coverage amount of $5,000.
Limited or Full Tort
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to carry limited or full tort coverage. However, they do not need to have both. The difference between these two types of coverage is important.
Limited tort coverage will allow you to recover for medical and other expenses that you pay out of pocket. However, you will not be able to recover for all expenses. For example, you will have to pay pain and suffering without reimbursement, unless you meet a very narrow exception. As a result, the premiums for limited tort coverage are much less expensive.
In contrast, full tort coverage will fully cover your costs and provide you with unrestricted rights to file a lawsuit against a negligent party. However, full tort premiums are more costly.
Optional car insurance coverages
Uninsured Motorist
Uninsured motorist coverage covers your and your passengers’ bodily injuries if an at-fault, uninsured motorist hits your car. However, uninsured motorist coverage does not cover property damage.
Underinsured Motorist
Under insured motorist coverage covers your and your passengers’ bodily injuries if an at-fault, underinsured motorist hits your car. In essence, this coverage will cover the medical expenses that the the at-fault driver cannot pay. However, like uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage will not cover any damage to property.
Funeral Benefits
Funeral benefit coverage will cover funeral expenses for you or a covered family member in the event of an accident-related death.
Income Loss
Income loss covers part of your lost wages if accident-related injuries prevent you from working while you recover. However, this coverage does no typically cover all lost wages.
Collision
Collision benefits reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car after an accident. If you took out a loan to purchase your car, your bank or lender likely required you to purchase this coverage. Under Pennsylvania law, insurance companies apply a $500 deductible, unless you requested a lower amount.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage pays for a range of hazards that could damage or otherwise deprive you of your car. For example, theft, fire, flood, hitting a deer, or vandalism. Like collision coverage, most banks or lenders generally require you to purchase comprehensive coverage in order to get a loan for a car.
Extraordinary Medical Benefits
Extraordinary medical benefits pays for medical and rehabilitation expenses that cost more than $100,000. The maximum coverage amount is $1 million.
Accidental Death Benefit
Accidental death benefits pay the personal representative of a covered person if a car accident injury causes death within 24 months of the date of the crash.
Rental Reimbursement Coverage
Rental reimbursement coverage covers the costs of renting another vehicle after an accident or damage.
Towing Coverage
Towing coverage covers the costs of towing and labor a damaged car, truck, or SUV. However, this coverage is usually only available if a driver also has comprehensive and collision insurance coverage.
Gap Coverage
Gap coverage pays the difference between an insurance company’s payment for a totaled vehicle and the balance of a car loan. However, gap coverage is typically only available for new vehicles.
Did you crash your car on a Pennsylvania road or highway?
If you suffered injuries after an accident in Pennsylvania, you need a lawyer who will fight to maximize your benefits payments. The nation’s leading car and truck crash lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help. We’ll take on the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. Learn about the millions we win for accident victims in courtrooms and negotiation rooms across Pennsylvania and the entire United States. Call us for a free consultation to discuss how we can win millions for you.
