No matter what state you live in, you are required to carry certain amounts of insurance coverage. Have you ever wondered how stacking protects you? Or is it better to have full tort or limited tort coverage? What about personal injury protection? Flager & Yockey, P.C. has your answers.
Below are some types of insurance coverage and some general guidelines for auto insurance in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. If you have questions about your own insurance policy, contact us. Our firm can conduct a free analysis of your coverage.
In many states, the law requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. Liability coverage is a type of insurance that pays for damages to others if you cause an accident.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey require motorists to carry liability coverage. Your policy must provide at least $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 per accident for property damage. (In New Jersey, optional basic policy's limits are $10,000/$10,000/$5,000.)
It's important to remember these are just minimum standards. It's recommended to carry more than the minimum to protect yourself in case of an accident.
You can purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist protection to protect yourself against claims from other drivers or passengers in case of a car accident. This coverage allows you to get paid by your own insurance company if a negligent driver is uninsured or does not have enough liability insurance to pay for your bills. It's optional in Pennsylvania, but required in New Jersey. If you use this coverage, it is not “chargeable,” which means your premiums will not increase. A chargeable accident is one in which you are “at fault.”
Under this form of insurance, you can increase the amount of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage by the number of vehicles on your car insurance policy. In Pennsylvania, if you select the stacked option, limits can be added together for each auto insured. For example, if you have limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident and own two cars, the stacked coverage is $200,000/$600,000. This is not a large additional expense. In addition, if it is used, it is not chargeable.
Full tort insurance allows you and other household members covered to seek recovery for pain and suffering and all unpaid medical out-of-pocket expenses. Full tort coverage costs more than limited tort, but is crucial to protect your right to full compensation in an accident.
This form of insurance limits your right and the right of members of your household to seek financial compensation for injuries caused by other careless drivers. With this insurance, you and other household members covered may seek recovery for all unpaid medical and out-of-pocket expenses. However, you and other household members are not covered for pain and suffering or other non-monetary damages, unless the injuries suffered fall within the definition of "serious injury."
Other exceptions with limited tort insurance include when you are the victim of a drunk driver or hit by an out-of-state vehicle, or if you are a passenger in a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or taxi.
Limited tort is less expensive than full tort and provides limited coverage in the event of a car wreck, truck accident or motorcycle accident.
It’s wise to pay a little extra for full tort insurance to protect yourself and your family. With limited tort, you are basically at the mercy of the insurance company’s definition of “serious injury.”
At Flager & Yockey, P.C., an experienced car accident attorney will assist you or your loved one with your case. Contact us today to find out how types of insurance coverage for car accidents can protect you. Remember, you don't pay us unless you win.
Call (215) 953-5200 or 1-888-470-1099 for your free personal injury consultation today.
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