Auto Insurance in Philadelphia, PA

How To Determine the Car Insurance You Need in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a gorgeous city full of history, nightlife, culture, and so much more. From the densely packed neighborhoods of Center City to museum row at Logan Square, there is always a new restaurant or adventure to try in the city. Of course, many of those adventures are much easier to reach if you have a car. Car insurance in Philadelphia is essential for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your vehicle. Even if you are a good driver, accidents happen. In fact, in 2019, more than 11,000 of them happened and more than 13% of those resulted in injuries. You simply cannot go without auto insurance if you plan to drive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or its surrounding neighborhoods.

What Kind of Auto Insurance Is Required in Pennsylvania?

Drivers in the state of Pennsylvania are required to carry car insurance in Philadelphia, PA. Like most other states, it requires a minimum amount of insurance.

• Bodily Injury Liability —You must have a minimum coverage of $15,000 per person or a total of $30,000 per accident. This coverage pays for medical expenses if you caused the accident.
• Limited or Full Tort —Limited tort allows you to save on premiums while recovering out-of-pocket medical expenses if an accident was not your fault. It does not cover pain and suffering. Full tort allows you to bring a suit against the person at fault without limitations.
• Medical Benefits —This coverage pays for medical expenses for you or anyone who was a passenger in your vehicle, even if you were at fault. You must have at least $5,000 in coverage.
• Property Damage Liability —Like medical coverage, you must carry a policy of at least $5,000 to pay for damage you cause to someone else's property in an accident. Some companies offer a $35,000 limit that covers both property damage and bodily injury.

Carrying the minimum amount of insurance is essential not only for your financial protection but for your ability to drive. If you are caught driving without car insurance in Philadelphia, you face several repercussions. At best, you'll pay a minimum of $300 for driving uninsured. Depending on the circumstances and whether you have a history of driving uninsured, you could also lose your license or vehicle registration for at least three months, must pay restoration fees to get them back, or even have your vehicle impounded.

Should I Invest in More Than the Minimum Insurance Requirements?

The minimum insurance required for car insurance in Philadelphia is not likely to cover all the damage or bodily injury in an accident, especially if it was more than a fender bender. It is recommended that you carry more than the minimum on each of the required policies. You might also consider other policies that are available to you.

• Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists —Just because you carry the coverage, you're supposed to doesn't mean other drivers do. Carrying an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy will protect you if someone else is at fault but doesn't have the means to pay for the damage or medical bills.
• Funeral Benefits —Grief can be made even worse when someone cannot pay the burial expenses. Funeral benefits provide a certain amount of money to go toward end-of-life services if you or a loved one passes away due to an automobile accident.
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage —This policy will help you pay for a rental car, or for cabs or ride services in some cases, should you need transportation while you wait on a car repair.

There are a wide variety of other options available as well, including coverage for income loss, extraordinary medical bills, and towing.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.