Personal Insurance Solutions
Personal Auto Insurance
Personal auto insurance protects against financial losses from owning and driving a vehicle. It includes liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause, collision for vehicle repairs, and comprehensive for non-collision events like theft or vandalism. Additional options, such as uninsured motorist or medical payments coverage, offer extra protection. Review your policy to ensure it meets your needs.
What is a Personal Auto Insurance Policy?
A car insurance policy safeguards you from financial risks associated with driving and owning a vehicle. It offers liability coverage to handle costs if you cause injuries or property damage, collision coverage to repair or replace your car after an accident, and comprehensive coverage for non-accident events like theft or weather damage. Optional features, such as uninsured motorist protection or medical payment coverage, can provide added security. It’s important to review your policy to ensure it fits your needs.
Personal Auto Insurance is required if you:
Auto insurance is required for all drivers in Pennsylvania who own and operate a vehicle. The state mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum level of insurance coverage to legally register and drive their cars.
Personal Auto Insurance Coverages
What coverages do you need?
In Pennsylvania, auto insurance is required and includes liability coverage and basic first-party benefits under the no-fault system. Optional but recommended coverages include uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and comprehensive and collision coverage for damage to your vehicle. Additional coverages, such as lost wages, can also be added for enhanced protection.
Basic Personal Auto Insurance Coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability (Minimum Requirements):
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person
- $30,000 for injury or death to two or more people in a single accident
- Property Damage Liability (Minimum Requirements):
- $5,000 for damage to another person’s property
- Basic First-Party Benefits (No-Fault Insurance):
- In Pennsylvania, the state operates under a no-fault system, meaning that, in the event of an accident, your own insurance typically covers your medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault.
Other Coverage you might need:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision coverage are optional because they address specific risks, such as accidents with underinsured drivers or damage from theft and vandalism, which not all drivers prioritize. While recommended for added security, they are not mandatory to meet state insurance requirements and may be unnecessary for older vehicles or those with other protections in place.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This is optional but highly recommended. It covers you if you’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient insurance.
- Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: These are also optional and provide coverage for damage to your own vehicle from events like theft, vandalism, or accidents.
Liability Insurance
Personal Auto vs. Commercial Auto
Limits of Liability:
- Personal Auto Insurance: Required minimums are generally lower ($15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, $5,000 property damage).
- Commercial Auto Insurance: Minimum requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability are the same, but businesses typically need higher coverage limits to account for the increased risk involved in commercial operations.
Types of Coverage:
- Commercial policies may have additional coverage options that are not required or offered in personal policies, such as cargo coverage, hired vehicle liability, and coverage for employees using vehicles for business purposes.
Risk Exposure:
- Commercial vehicles and drivers are at a higher risk due to the nature of business activities (e.g., transporting goods, using vehicles for work-related tasks). As a result, businesses often opt for higher coverage limits than the state’s minimum requirements.