Helping You Understand Pennsylvania's Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage

In Pennsylvania there are a few coverages that are required by law to register your motor vehicle. Those coverages are Bodily Injury Liability, Property Damage Liability and Medical Benefits. The following breakdown explains what each coverage means and what the implications are for those who are deemed to be under insured.

Bodily Injury Liability- Pa state minimum is 15,000 per person 30,000 each accident- This translates to your car insurance company paying out up to $15,000 to an injured party if your automobile caused them injuries that justified damages. Under the Tort laws of the state of Pennsylvania the injured party is due compensation for the fact that they suffered an injury caused by the operation of your automobile. Example: Your deemed to be fault in an accident that caused another person to suffer a broken arm. Not including medical expenses, your insurance company will be responsible to pay the injured party up to the amount decided by the courts. If the damages exceed the $15,000 limit per person, the injured party is permitted by law to recover from the registered owner of the automobile. Your fate then lies in the hands of the laws, your net worth, assets and interpretation of what a reasonable and prudent man would have done. Bottom line- Do not skimp on this coverage, for the few extra dollars that a $100,000 limit or $250,000 limit would cost you can possibly avoid an immensely stressful situation.

Property Damage Liability- In Pennsylvania the minimum limit required by state law is $5,000. If your automobile is determined to be the "at fault" vehicle in an automobile accident, you will be held responsible for the physical damages caused by your car. Whether it's a mailbox, a porch, or a $80,000 Mercedes your responsibility will be to reimburse the other parties damages. Your insurance company will pay up to the limit you have chosen. If the damages are the equivalent of a 2006 ford f150 or $20,000 and you are carrying the minimum limit of $5,000 your insurer will pay $5,000. The balance of $15,000 can be paid in several ways, you can write a check, the injured parties insurance company will pay them, or they will bring suit against you. If their insurance company pays the next step will be an action against the car owner for recovery(this is referred to as subrogation) if the judgment is not paid then you may forfeit your driving privileges in the states of Pa, NY and Ohio until payment is made. Again, you must weight the options of carrying the minimum limits, it hardly seems worth the possible expense.

Medical Expense- The state of Pennsylvania requires a limit of $5,000 on medical expenses. This coverage pays to you and any other "first party" in the vehicle or living in the household. This coverage pays the first $5,000 in medical expenses to you or your family as a result of a motor vehicle accident. This applies even if you are in another vehicle or a pedestrian. If the injury results from any contact with a motor vehicle the state of Pa indicates that coverage will apply. Keep these facts in mind when choosing your limits.

Williams Agency
Source for Affordable Pa Auto Insurance