“Don’t worry, I have Full Coverage” is what many new clients tell me when I ask them to show me their Pennsylvania Car Insurance Declarations.

I hate to break it to you, but, there really is no such thing as “Full Coverage.”

It’s mandatory to have Car Insurance Coverage in Pennsylvania, so everyone has to have Coverage. Some Coverages are mandatory and others are optional.

The choices you have regarding Coverages and amounts is literally limitless and there is no such “standard package” that is titled “Full Coverage.”

What Coverage is Mandatory?

All Pennsylvania vehicle owners must carry Liability Coverage which pays for property damage and injuries they may cause while driving. The minimum Liability Coverage Limits are $5,000 for property damage and $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury. However, you can carry much much more Liability Coverage (and probably should in case you cause a major accident).

Medical Coverage of at least $5,000 is also required which will pay your medical bills from any vehicle related accident, as well as the medical bills for anyone else covered by the Policy usually including relatives who live with you.

What Coverage is Optional?

There are many types of Car Insurance Coverages that are useful, but optional in Pennsylvania including:

• Collision – Coverage that pays to fix or replace your care when it is damaged in an accident that was your fault.
• Lost Income, Funeral and Burial, Accidental Death – Additional Coverages that pay for losses regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage – Coverage that you purchase on your policy to pay compensation if you are injured by an accident caused by someone else who has no insurance or not enough insurance to fully compensate you.

Full Tort versus Limited Tort Choice

In Pennsylvania, you must also choose whether you want Full Tort or Limited Tort on your Policy.

Full Tort is more expensive but preserves the rights of you and your family covered by the policy to be fully compensated after a car accident caused by someone else.

Limited Tort is less expensive coverage but it limits your rights to compensation. With Limited Tort, unless an Exception applies, people covered by the policy cannot recover for Non-Economic Damages, like Pain and Suffering, unless they suffer a Serious Injury (Death, Serious and Permanent Disfigurement or Serious Impairment of Body Function.)

Tips for Your Car Insurance Choices

I recommend that you think about the following for your Pennsylvania Car Insurance:

• High Liability Limits and also consider an Umbrella/Excess Liability Policy
• Lots of Optional Coverages – Collision, Lost Wage, Funeral and Accidental Death
• Very High Uninsured/Underinsured Limits ($1 Million or more) to ensure Full Compensation even in a Death or Serious Injury case
• Full Tort not Limited Tort