PENNSYLVANIA TORT OPTIONS
Selecting the proper tort option for you and your family can be a daunting task. Here at Philly Auto Law, we have created this page to help you better understand the two options that every Pennsylvania resident must choose from when purchasing insurance.
Individuals who purchase insurance in the state of Pennsylvania have to decide from one of two "tort options". When purchasing insurance, each individual has to decide between the limited tort and full tort option. Although limited tort may be a cheaper option, and one that seems more appealing, selecting it may diminish your ability to fully recovery for the injuries you sustained in your accident. Below you will find helpful information as to why you should select the full tort option to better protect you and your family in the event of injury.
Limited Tort
In the state of Pennsylvania the minimum tort coverage someone can select for their vehicle is the Limited Tort option. Many Pennsylvania residents select this option because it costs slightly less, and they believe they will never be injured in an automobile accident. However, individuals that select limited tort give up the right to sue for "pain and suffering" even if the other driver is completely at fault for the accident.
Pain and suffering is the legal term used to describe pain and emotional distress caused by an injury. Some examples of "pain and suffering" which may be related to a motor vehicle accident are aches, pains, temporary limitations on activities, mental strain and emotional trauma. If you select the limited tort option on your insurance policy, you have likely prevented yourself, or a family member, from recovering for any of the above named examples.
Although it is often difficult to fully recover for your injuries if you selected the limited tort option, the state of Pennsylvania has provided a few exceptions that can be found here.
Remember, the insurance option you select may have an impact on those that live in your household. For example, if you have children, and they are injured while traveling in a neighbor’s vehicle, then they are considered to have selected the same tort option as the family member in the household with automobile insurance. So in the above scenario, if you had selected the limited tort option, you have effectively limited your child’s ability to fully recover for their injuries.
Full Tort
The Full Tort option provides you and the members of your household with the legal right to make a full claim for compensation as a result of a car accident that causes injury or damages. Full tort households, unlike limited tort households, are not restricted in their right to seek full compensation for their injuries. In fact, a household that selected the full tort option can make claims for economic damages (i.e. medical bills, lost wages, out of pocket expenses and property damage) and non-economic damages (i.e. pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, spousal loss of consortium and inconvenience).
Although the selection of full tort on your policy may increase you insurance premiums by 15%, it could also mean that you or a family member will receive thousands more if ever injured in an automobile accident
If you have any questions about your insurance policy and whether you are fully covered, contact us. We provide free insurance policy reviews. While we hope that you never become injured, we will make sure that you are fully prepared with coverage.
Selecting the proper tort option for you and your family can be a daunting task. Here at Philly Auto Law, we have created this page to help you better understand the two options that every Pennsylvania resident must choose from when purchasing insurance.
Individuals who purchase insurance in the state of Pennsylvania have to decide from one of two "tort options". When purchasing insurance, each individual has to decide between the limited tort and full tort option. Although limited tort may be a cheaper option, and one that seems more appealing, selecting it may diminish your ability to fully recovery for the injuries you sustained in your accident. Below you will find helpful information as to why you should select the full tort option to better protect you and your family in the event of injury.
Limited Tort
In the state of Pennsylvania the minimum tort coverage someone can select for their vehicle is the Limited Tort option. Many Pennsylvania residents select this option because it costs slightly less, and they believe they will never be injured in an automobile accident. However, individuals that select limited tort give up the right to sue for "pain and suffering" even if the other driver is completely at fault for the accident.
Pain and suffering is the legal term used to describe pain and emotional distress caused by an injury. Some examples of "pain and suffering" which may be related to a motor vehicle accident are aches, pains, temporary limitations on activities, mental strain and emotional trauma. If you select the limited tort option on your insurance policy, you have likely prevented yourself, or a family member, from recovering for any of the above named examples.
Although it is often difficult to fully recover for your injuries if you selected the limited tort option, the state of Pennsylvania has provided a few exceptions that can be found here.
Remember, the insurance option you select may have an impact on those that live in your household. For example, if you have children, and they are injured while traveling in a neighbor’s vehicle, then they are considered to have selected the same tort option as the family member in the household with automobile insurance. So in the above scenario, if you had selected the limited tort option, you have effectively limited your child’s ability to fully recover for their injuries.
Full Tort
The Full Tort option provides you and the members of your household with the legal right to make a full claim for compensation as a result of a car accident that causes injury or damages. Full tort households, unlike limited tort households, are not restricted in their right to seek full compensation for their injuries. In fact, a household that selected the full tort option can make claims for economic damages (i.e. medical bills, lost wages, out of pocket expenses and property damage) and non-economic damages (i.e. pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, spousal loss of consortium and inconvenience).
Although the selection of full tort on your policy may increase you insurance premiums by 15%, it could also mean that you or a family member will receive thousands more if ever injured in an automobile accident
If you have any questions about your insurance policy and whether you are fully covered, contact us. We provide free insurance policy reviews. While we hope that you never become injured, we will make sure that you are fully prepared with coverage.
