Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements
If you have fallen victim to a car accident, you probably wonder how much money you can receive from insurance. With every state varying slightly on requiring coverage limits, it is enough to make your head spin. Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys understand auto insurance coverage in the Keystone State and the benefits of hiring a legal professional in the event of a crash.
Limited Tort versus Full Tort Coverage in Pennsylvania
75 Pa. C.S. §1928 requires insurance carriers to give Pennsylvania drivers a choice between limited tort and full tort coverage when purchasing auto insurance. Let us review the differences between the two types of policies.
Limited Tort Coverage
You can recover compensation for all economic losses if you have limited tort coverage. This will include lost wages, medical expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses directly impacting your finances.
Under a limited tort policy, any non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, infliction of emotional distress, and disfigurement, will not be covered. However, if any of the following situations apply, you will qualify for noneconomic damages (compensation for non-monetary losses):
- If you were a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a motor vehicle
- If you were a passenger in a commercial vehicle
- If you were a passenger on a motorcycle
- If the at-fault driver was convicted of a DUI
- If the at-fault driver was uninsured
- If the at-fault driver was driving a vehicle registered out-of-state
- If you sustained “serious injuries”
Full Tort Coverage
If you have full tort coverage, you may be able to recoup any measurable losses, economic or non-economic. While a full tort policy has numerous benefits, premiums are significantly higher. With full tort coverage, you can file a private lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover maximum compensation.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Any motorist operating a vehicle within Pennsylvania must carry personal injury protection (PIP). PIP covers lost wages, medical expenses, and funeral expenses, regardless of whether you are at fault.
Pennsylvania requires that all motorists purchase the minimum PIP limits:
- $5,000 in medical benefits
- 80% of your gross lost wages
- $5,000 in funeral expenses
Liability Insurance Requirements
Liability insurance is the coverage your insurer will pay for another person’s injuries and vehicle repairs if you are deemed at fault in a crash. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all motorists operating a vehicle within the state to carry the following liability insurance:
- $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
- $5,000 in property damage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Pennsylvania offers coverage if you were in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. The state requires that every insurance company offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, although drivers can waive it.
If you purchase UM/UIM, you must carry at least $15,000 per injured person and $30,000 in coverage per accident. Although you may think this coverage is unnecessary, UM coverage can cover you in an accident where the other driver flees the scene, known as a hit-and-run.
Importance of Hiring a Harrisburg Personal Injury Attorney
Many people in an accident do not understand their auto coverage, preventing them from recovering the necessary compensation. When you work with Attorney Tom Archer, you can rest assured that you are working with someone who thoroughly understands Pennsylvania auto insurance laws.
Our Harrisburg personal injury attorney will take the time to review your policy to determine which coverage applies to your situation. He will handle filing your claim and provide the appropriate documentation so that your claim has the best chance of being approved.
Injured? Contact Our Harrisburg Personal Injury Attorney Today
Nobody should be plagued with a pile of medical expenses while trying to recover from a crash physically. At Mette Attorneys at Law, we understand the stress of a collision, impeding your ability to improve. If you are looking for someone to advocate on your behalf, look no further than our Harrisburg personal injury attorney. Contact us online or call us at (717) 231-5219 to arrange your consultation.