Pennsylvania requires all drivers to have active car insurance policies, with minimum coverage amounts for liability insurance. Liability insurance covers any damages that you might cause to other drivers while behind the wheel. Some drivers may choose to increase their liability coverage in an effort to mitigate personal financial risk in the event of a car accident. However, there is a lesser-known insurance policy that can be just as important, if not more so. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between liability and uninsured motorist coverage and help you decide which one is right for your specific needs.
First, let’s discuss liability coverage. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry a minimum of $15,000 in liability coverage for bodily injury per person, and $30,000 for bodily injury per accident. These policies also typically provide $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. Liability insurance is designed to protect you when you are at fault for an accident. It can help cover the cost of medical bills and car repairs for the other driver(s) involved. While Pennsylvania’s minimum coverage requirements may be enough to satisfy legal standards, they may not be enough to cover the full extent of damages in a serious accident. Some drivers opt to increase their liability coverage limits to avoid the risk of having to pay out of pocket for damages that exceed their policy’s limits.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of car insurance that can help protect you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance. This could include a hit-and-run accident, or an accident with a driver who is not insured. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry a minimum of $15,000 in uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury per person, and $30,000 for bodily injury per accident. This coverage can help cover the cost of medical bills and lost wages if you are injured and unable to work due to an accident with an uninsured driver.
Interestingly, Pennsylvania also allows drivers to purchase underinsured motorist coverage. This is similar to uninsured motorist coverage, but it kicks in when the other driver’s insurance policy is not enough to fully cover the damages caused by an accident. This can be incredibly helpful if you’re in an accident with a driver who has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover the full cost of your damages. Underinsured motorist coverage can help make up the difference so that you’re not left with out-of-pocket expenses that you can’t afford.
So how do you decide which type of coverage to get? Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal risk tolerance. Liability coverage is required by law in Pennsylvania and can help protect you if you’re at fault in an accident. Additional liability coverage may be necessary if you want to minimize your personal financial risk. However, uninsured motorist coverage is an important safety net that can protect you if you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. It can be difficult to predict when you might find yourself in such a situation, but having this coverage can provide peace of mind in the event that it happens.
In Pennsylvania, it’s important to have car insurance that meets legal requirements and protects you financially in case of an accident. Liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage are two types of car insurance policies that can help provide that protection. While liability coverage is required by law, uninsured motorist coverage can be just as vital, particularly if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance. Whatever your decision, it’s essential to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options after a car accident. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we are dedicated to helping people across Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve after a car crash. If you have any questions about car insurance or need help pursuing a personal injury claim, contact us today for a free consultation.