Pennsylvania Auto Insurance - Torts in the State of Independence
The state of Pennsylvania is famous for a lot of things - it's the home of both the cheese steak and the Liberty Bell, for example - but did you know Pennsylvania is also famous for being a Tort state in the event of an accident? Even though this kind of historical fact is not nearly as interesting as some of the others, it is unfortunately necessary knowledge to have when driving through as either a resident in or visitor to the state.
To fully understand auto insurance policies in the State of Independence, you must first mandatory auto insurance laws in Pennsylvania, how those laws affect those in rental cars and what Pennsylvania's Tort state status means for drivers.
What are the mandatory auto insurance laws in Pennsylvania? Unsurprisingly, auto insurance is mandatory in Pennsylvania.
Drivers have to meet the minimum liability coverage amounts, which are as follows: $15,000 bodily injury liability per injured person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, $5,000 property damage liability coverage, and $5,000 personal injury protection.
Drivers are also obligated to carry their proof insurance with them at all times.
The consequences for noncompliance with the insurance laws are great.
If you commit a moving violation while driving without insurance and are subsequently stopped by the police, you could face a number of physical, legal and monetary penalties.
The minimum fine is $300, in addition to restoration fees to restore your vehicle's registration and the restoration fees to restore your driver's license and, potentially, fees to get your vehicle out of the impound.
Legally, you will face a three- month suspension of your vehicle registration and a three- month suspension of your driver's license.
All the while, of course, you will be unable to drive yourself until you've remedied the problems.
This is one situation where it is better to err on the side of caution and comply with mandatory insurance laws in the state of Pennsylvania.
How do those laws affect rental cars? Even if you are "just visiting," you are still obligated to comply with Pennsylvania's mandatory insurance laws.
Though most credit cards and/ or Pennsylvania auto insurance companies' policies include car rentals, it is probably a good idea to confirm this policy with your individual insurance or credit card company.
If you are from out of state, this is an especially good idea, as you may have to purchase insurance with the rental car company, which will cost between $7 and $14 a day, in addition to the cost of your rental.
Pennsylvania is a "Tort state," but what does that mean for me? The premise behind Tort state auto accident law is relatively simple: every accident has to be somebody's fault.
This means that whoever is found to be the cause of the accident, or "at fault," is responsible for all of the ensuing damages that resulted from the accident.
Many auto insurance companies therefore recommend that drivers carry higher than the state-mandated insurance minimums, because they could end up paying a lot more than those minimums should they be found "at fault" in an accident.
However, Pennsylvania is even more unique than other Tort states in one way: drivers can choose tort "options" to define their right to compensation in the event of an accident.
They may choose between Limited Tort and Full Tort.
Should the driver choose Full Tort, the driver's right to financial compensation for injuries caused by other drivers is unrestricted.
It seems fitting that this should be the law in Pennsylvania, the State of Independence.
Just remember that your independence only extends as far as the boundaries of your neighbor, and drive with that in mind - even if you're in a hurry to see the Liberty Bell or get that cheese steak.
To fully understand auto insurance policies in the State of Independence, you must first mandatory auto insurance laws in Pennsylvania, how those laws affect those in rental cars and what Pennsylvania's Tort state status means for drivers.
What are the mandatory auto insurance laws in Pennsylvania? Unsurprisingly, auto insurance is mandatory in Pennsylvania.
Drivers have to meet the minimum liability coverage amounts, which are as follows: $15,000 bodily injury liability per injured person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, $5,000 property damage liability coverage, and $5,000 personal injury protection.
Drivers are also obligated to carry their proof insurance with them at all times.
The consequences for noncompliance with the insurance laws are great.
If you commit a moving violation while driving without insurance and are subsequently stopped by the police, you could face a number of physical, legal and monetary penalties.
The minimum fine is $300, in addition to restoration fees to restore your vehicle's registration and the restoration fees to restore your driver's license and, potentially, fees to get your vehicle out of the impound.
Legally, you will face a three- month suspension of your vehicle registration and a three- month suspension of your driver's license.
All the while, of course, you will be unable to drive yourself until you've remedied the problems.
This is one situation where it is better to err on the side of caution and comply with mandatory insurance laws in the state of Pennsylvania.
How do those laws affect rental cars? Even if you are "just visiting," you are still obligated to comply with Pennsylvania's mandatory insurance laws.
Though most credit cards and/ or Pennsylvania auto insurance companies' policies include car rentals, it is probably a good idea to confirm this policy with your individual insurance or credit card company.
If you are from out of state, this is an especially good idea, as you may have to purchase insurance with the rental car company, which will cost between $7 and $14 a day, in addition to the cost of your rental.
Pennsylvania is a "Tort state," but what does that mean for me? The premise behind Tort state auto accident law is relatively simple: every accident has to be somebody's fault.
This means that whoever is found to be the cause of the accident, or "at fault," is responsible for all of the ensuing damages that resulted from the accident.
Many auto insurance companies therefore recommend that drivers carry higher than the state-mandated insurance minimums, because they could end up paying a lot more than those minimums should they be found "at fault" in an accident.
However, Pennsylvania is even more unique than other Tort states in one way: drivers can choose tort "options" to define their right to compensation in the event of an accident.
They may choose between Limited Tort and Full Tort.
Should the driver choose Full Tort, the driver's right to financial compensation for injuries caused by other drivers is unrestricted.
It seems fitting that this should be the law in Pennsylvania, the State of Independence.
Just remember that your independence only extends as far as the boundaries of your neighbor, and drive with that in mind - even if you're in a hurry to see the Liberty Bell or get that cheese steak.
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