PA Auto Insurance Rates
From the rolling countryside of Lancaster to the bustling city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania boasts a variety of landscapes and cultures in its state. So it’s no surprise that Pennsylvania’s auto insurance rates differ significantly from other states with its tort law and other unique policies.
What are the Primary Laws Governing PA Auto Insurance Rates?
Each Pennsylvanian driver has mandatory policies for PA auto insurance rates given by the state government. Drivers must have at least $15,000 for injuring someone else and $30,000 for bodily injury in each accident. Also, they must have $5,000 to pay for property damage and $5,000 for any personal injuries. Refusing to obey these rules leads to serious ramifications. If stopped by the police, you must pay at least $300 besides paying fees to restore your car’s registration and your driver’s license and taking your vehicle from impoundment. You will also receive a 3-month suspension of your vehicle’s registration and your driver’s license. For anyone who rents a car in Pennsylvania, you must also obey the regulations for minimum car insurance laws. Most rental places will charge insurance to protect themselves from potential damage to the car. One especially unique law is the tort policy. Basically, for any accident, someone will be held liable for the damage and must compensate the innocent driver. You can either choose limited tort, which restricts your compensation, or full tort, which provides unrestricted compensation for any damages incurred during the accident. When you choose limited tort, you may not receive much from suing for pain and suffering. Instead of deciding how much you can sue the offender, the jury analyzes the case and determines whether you deserve payment for your pain and suffering. Full tort, though, leaves the suing to you, which gives you freedom to sue for your physical and mental trauma following the accident.
How are My First Party Rights Related to PA Auto Insurance Rates?
Your first party rights, which apply to you and any family member living with you, are the “no fault” portion of the auto insurance policy. Even if you caused the accident, you will still be compensated for insurance coverage under first party rights. One of these is medical expenses coverage that requires at least $5,000 for each car you own. Income loss coverage buffers you from lost income when recovering from an accident. You can choose anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000 for this coverage. Another extra policy is funeral benefit and accidental death coverage. These policies provide for families whose loved one has unexpectedly died in an accident. Another available policy under PA auto insurance rates is extraordinary medical expenses, which covers any medical costs exceeding $100,000 and reaching $1 million.
How does UM/UIM Coverage Affect PA Auto Insurance Rates?
UM/UIM insurance coverage is a useful policy to have for PA auto insurance rates. UM/UIM refers to an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist. For the uninsured motorist, you are protected from someone who totals your car and has no insurance to pay for damages. Rather than losing a good car or suffering physical problems, UM insurance will cover any costs that resulted from the accident. Likewise, you are also protected from someone who has little insurance coverage. If you crash into someone who only has $15,000 for bodily injury and your medical bill costs over $30,000, you would normally be $15,000 in debt. However, purchasing UIM insurance coverage would guarantee compensation from your auto insurance company for any damages. Don’t forget to enter your zip code at the top of the page for a free auto insurance quote today.