Overview Of Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Law

Understanding Your Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Policy

Many of us are drivers—and thus have signed up for car insurance. A brief look at any automobile policy and we see numerous pages with paragraphs full of legal jargon. For drivers in PA, understanding the basics of a Pennsylvania auto insurance policy and the types of coverage options available is key to understanding your rights as a driver and potential victim of a car crash.

The Declaration Page

Typically the first page of your policy, the declaration page, lists the available insurance coverage on your auto policy and the corresponding costs. Your insurance agent or company will send you a declaration page every year or policy renewal date.

Types Of Coverage

Much of the remaining parts of the policy outlines the types of coverage you have purchased and they include:

• First party insurance: This refers to what you will obtain from your carrier in the event of an accident. There are several types of “first party” insurance coverage in Pennsylvania such as medical benefits, income loss benefits, accidental death benefits, and funeral and burial coverage.
• Liability coverage: This type of coverage provides protection when someone is at-fault for an accident and causes injury or damage to persons or property. Bodily injury and property damage coverage are the two types available.
• Comprehensive and Collision coverage: This type of coverage provides vehicle protection in the event your car is damaged. Comprehensive coverage will cover incidents that are not your fault. Collision coverage covers collisions when you are at-fault.
• Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage: These types of coverage options protect you when you have been injured by another driver who does not have any or enough liability coverage to pay for your medical bills and other expenses.
• Full tort and limited tort coverage: This type of coverage relates to a number of damages you can seek from an at-fault party in an auto accident. Full tort coverage allows you to sue in court for all damages. Limited tort coverage allows injured parties to sue others for only a limited amount. Drivers have the option to select either option.

Got Questions? Call Us At 412-837-8426

The above is a basic overview of auto insurance coverage in Pennsylvania—but there is much more to the law. If you have additional questions, reach out to one of our Pittsburgh auto accident attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. Our attorneys serve injured clients in Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Westmoreland County, Washington County, and Erie County.