Auto Insurance Doylestown PA
In Pennsylvania and in most states, you cannot own and operate a car without the minimum state-required insurance coverage. For every motorist, that coverage is essential. But how much and what kind of auto insurance coverage do you need? The Pennsylvania Insurance Department website provides a lot of information. However, figuring out what kind and how much auto insurance you need can be tremendously complicated. We can cover the basics here, but it is essential to discuss your auto insurance needs with a qualified professional.
Let’s begin by understanding the purpose of auto insurance. Auto insurance is intended to keep you and others from experiencing financial loss in the event of an accident, theft, vandalism or fire or other damage involving your vehicle. Basically, auto insurance is designed to cover expenses related to injury to you and other people, damage to your car, and damage to other people’s car or property. With the right amount and type of auto insurance, you can be confident that an accident or other unforeseen incident with your car can help you avoid significant and lasting financial loss.
One generality is that the more you have to lose, the higher the amounts of coverage you need. For example, if you are driving a 15-year-old car that is only worth a $2,000, your may choose not to purchase insurance to replace.
Again, some information can be found on the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website, however, the "insurance lingo" can be confusing. That's why we're here. To be sure you get the coverage you want at the best price. Please call us at 215-345-9410. We’re happy to help you with your auto insurance.
Pennsylvania ’s required coverages
When you purchase private passenger automobile insurance, there are certain coverages that are required and others that are optional. A limited explanation of coverage is listed. The required coverages are:
Medical Benefits — This pays medical bills for you and others who are covered by your policy, regardless of fault. The minimum limit is $5,000 of coverage. Higher limits are available if you so choose.
Bodily Injury Liability — If you injure someone in a car accident, this coverage pays their medical and rehabilitation expenses and any damages for which you are found liable. The minimum limit is $15,000/$30,000. The $15,000 pays for injuries to one person, while the $30,000 represents the total available for one accident.
Property Damage Liability — If you damage someone’s property in an accident and you are at fault, this coverage pays for it. The minimum limit is $5,000 of coverage.
Some companies offer a single limit of $35,000 which meets the bodily injury liability and property damage liability minimum requirements.
Limited or Full Tort — You can choose to have full or limited tort coverage. Limited tort coverage offers you a savings on your premiums. You are still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses; however, you are not able to recover certain damages - such as payments for pain and suffering - unless the injuries meet one of the exceptions to limited tort as defined in Act 6 of 1990, title 75, section 1705 (d). With full tort coverage selection, you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party. We know this can be confusing - please give us a call to help you navigate!
Pennsylvania ’s optional coverage
In addition, private passenger automobile insurance policies offer a variety of additional optional coverages that can be purchased. These include:
Uninsured Motorist (UM) — This coverage applies to you, your family and your passengers for bodily injury if you are hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist. This does not cover damage to property.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) — This coverage applies to you, your family and your passengers for bodily injury if you are hit by an at-fault motorist who does not have enough insurance to cover your claim. This does not cover damage to property.
Stacking of UM or UIM — This coverage allows you to either multiply the amount of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage by the number of vehicles on your policy or to receive uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage from more than one policy under which you are insured. It costs extra to stack uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Funeral Benefit — This coverage pays, up to a certain dollar amount, money for funeral expenses if you or a family member dies as a result of an auto accident.
Income Loss — This coverage pays a portion of your lost wages when injuries sustained in an auto accident keep you from working.
Collision — This benefit pays to repair damage to your car as a result of an accident. Most banks or lenders require you to buy this coverage to receive a car loan. Under Pennsylvania law, the insurance company applies a $500 deductible unless you request a lower amount. Generally speaking, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
Comprehensive — Generally, this pays for theft or damage to your car from hazards including fire, flood, vandalism or striking an animal. Most banks or lenders require you to buy this coverage to receive a car loan. There are various levels of deductible that may be purchased.
Extraordinary Medical Benefits — This coverage pays for medical and rehabilitation expenses that exceed $100,000. It provides a maximum of $1 million of coverage.
Accidental death benefit — This is a benefit paid to the personal representative of an insured if the bodily injury from a motor vehicle accident results in death within 24 months of the date of the accident.
Rental reimbursement coverage — This pays for an individual’s expenses, up to the limit on their policy, to rent a vehicle if they have a covered comprehensive or collision loss.
Towing coverage — This reimburses an individual, up to the limit on their policy, for towing and labor costs for a covered disabled vehicle. This coverage is usually only available if comprehensive and collision is carried on the vehicle.
Gap coverage — This pays the difference between an insurance company’s payment for a totaled vehicle and the balance of a vehicle loan. This coverage is traditionally only available when an individual is purchasing a new vehicle.
We've covered a lot of information here - to get all of your questions answered about Auto Insurance Doylestown call today (215) 345-9410