Pennsylvania Car Insurance Laws

Pennsylvania has car insurance laws that are a combination of the tort system and the no-fault systems though it is considered to be a tort state. How Pennsylvania’s car insurance laws work are often confusing for people. In this article, Pennsylvania car insurance laws will be fully explained so people understand exactly what car insurance they are expected to choose. Choose low, reliable car insurance rates with great protection when you enter your ZIP code into our FREE car insurance comparison tool!

Pennsylvania’s Tort System

Pennsylvania’s tort system is different from the tort system that other states are following because it appears to have elements of the no-fault system.

The car insurance laws that Pennsylvania drivers have the option of choosing are limited tort and full tort car insurance quotes if they are injured by someone that hits them while driving on the roads.

Limited Tort

When people need a guide to purchase car insurance in Pennsylvania, they can choose limited tort. This means that they will not be able to receive any money for their pain and suffering if they are ever injured in an accident. People choose the limited tort option because it keeps their car insurance rates lower. Enter you ZIP code into our tool now for several FREE car insurance quotes that will keep your rates low!

When choosing limited tort, policy holders are deciding that they and their family members will all have to follow the limited tort system, the limited tort system applies when the policy holder and family members are riding in another person’s vehicle and injured and the limited tort system applies when they are hit and injured as pedestrians.

Full Tort

When people make the full tort choice in Pennsylvania, they will have the option of suing the driver that injured them in a car collision for their pain and suffering. For this option, people will pay around 15 percent more on their premiums, but Pennsylvania drivers may believe this is worth it to reserve the right to sue for very serious injuries.

Pennsylvania’s Liability Limits

Pennsylvania drivers do not have a choice in purchasing car insurance. They must purchase liability coverage from an auto insurance company, or they can self-insure. When Pennsylvania drivers register their vehicles, they must be able to present proof that they have purchased the following liability coverage:

Pennsylvania drivers will need bodily injury liability in the amount of $15,000 for one person’s injuries, bodily injury liability in the amount of $30,000 for everyone’s injuries and property damage liability in the amount of $5,000 for everyone with damaged property.

The Need for PIP Insurance

Tort states do not ordinarily require that their drivers purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This type of insurance is what is normally required of drivers in the no-fault states. Pennsylvania is different in this way as well because it does require that its drivers purchase PIP insurance.

Pennsylvania drivers are required by law to have $5,000 for medical expenses for themselves and their passengers. It does not matter who caused the accident for the policy holder to file a claim for payment of medical bills with this type of coverage.

Self-Insuring in Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania car insurance laws, they may also choose to self-insure. This will require that these drivers have $50,000 to self-insure their vehicles. If they own other cars, they will need to place a $10,000 deposit on each subsequent vehicle.

After a Car Insurance Policy Expires

Those who do not have car insurance on their vehicles will need to follow the rules outlined by Pennsylvania in order to not face any penalties. As soon as their policies expire and they are not going to purchase another policy on the vehicle, they will need to take their license plates to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Penalties for Not Carrying Car Insurance

In the event that the policy expired less than 31 days before, these drivers will need to demonstrate to PennDOT that they did not drive their vehicles during this time. If they can do this, PennDOT will not give them the following penalties:

• A fine of at least $300
• Suspension of their vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses for 90 days
• A reinstatement fee of $50 for their vehicle registrations
• A reinstatement fee of $50 for their driver’s licenses

Car Insurance when Self-Insurance Is Impossible

Most Pennsylvania drivers would, most likely, choose the option of purchasing car insurance as their way of proving financial responsibility for accidents they cause. It would be much less expensive for the year than leaving a deposit of $50,000 plus $10,000 for each additional vehicle. With a car insurance policy, Pennsylvania drivers will only need to pay about $1,473.09 for the year.

Read Reviews and Receive Quotes for Pennsylvania Car Insurance

Pennsylvania drivers will not need to be tempted to choose the limited tort option to keep their rates low when they use a car insurance comparison website. This website gives visitors a chance to review various cars as well as obtain with their ZIP code several FREE quotes for the liability insurance they need to drive legally in Pennsylvania.

Comparing quotes will make it possible for people to find even lower prices for their car insurance.

If drivers do not have their proof of car insurance, they will be violating Pennsylvania’s laws. They are going to need to be able to show proof of insurance when they register their vehicles as well as when they are stopped for violating Pennsylvania’s driving laws. On this website, they can take their quotes and choose their best options for the most affordable car insurance in less than one hour. Start by entering your ZIP code into our FREE auto insurance comparison tool!