Auto Insurance

You are probably already aware that you are required to carry car insurance if you own a car in Pennsylvania. What you may not know is that basic car insurance coverage may not be providing the full coverage you need. Here are some coverages to discuss with your insurance carrier, long with our recommendations on appropriate coverage that will provide you and your family with full protection. While adding these coverages to your policy may cost a few extra dollars now, they may save you thousands of dollars if the unthinkable ever happens!

Full Tort

Take a look at your insurance policy and make sure you've chosen the full tort option. Having full tort coverage gives you the unlimited right to recover losses due to pain and suffering. Without it, there are many situations where your ability to recover losses will be severely limited.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

While not required in Pennsylvania, underinsured motorist coverage is essential to ensure full protection from careless drivers. Many drivers only carry the minimum amount of car insurance that the law requires. Unfortunately, the minimum coverage required is rarely enough to fully compensate victims for losses caused by the underinsured driver's negligence. Underinsured motorist's coverage will make up the difference between the amount of coverage the at-fault driver has and what you are entitled to collect.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Though it is illegal to drive a vehicle in Pennsylvania without car insurance coverage, an alarming number of drivers are completely uninsured. To protect yourself from damages and bodily injury sustained from an uninsured driver, you should make sure you carry uninsured motorist's coverage on your car insurance policy. Uninsured motorist's insurance is useful in a number of circumstances and applies whether you are the driver, passenger, pedestrian, or even a hit and run victim.

Recommended Car Insurance Coverages

Options Minimum Required Minimum Recommended

Tort Option Limited Full

Bodily Injury Liability $15,000 /person
$30,000 /occurrence $100,000 /person
$300,000 /occurrence

Medical Expense Benefit $5,000 $10,000

Property Damage Liability $5,000 $25,000

Income Loss Not Required $1,000 /month
$5,000 in total coverage

Uninsured Motorist Not Required $100,000 /person
$300,000 /occurrence

Underinsured Motorist Not Required $100,000 /person
$300,000 /occurrence

Stacking of Limits for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Not Required Choosing stacking is essential to maximizing your family's protection: $100,000 x the number of vehicles in the household

Funeral Benefit Not Required $1,500

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

10 Important Facts You Do to Protect Your Worker's Compensation Rights
1.) Always report a work-related injury immediately, even if you suspect you will not lose time from work or require medical care. Have your employer fill out a complete accident report (Employer's Report of Occupational Injury) to document the details for your protection.	6.) If your employer asks you to see another physician after your Worker's compensation benefits begin, seek legal advice immediately. Asking you to see another physician may be your employer's first attempt to modify or terminate your benefits.
2.) Keep your own records. Record the date, time and details of the work-related injury. Also, make a list of any witnesses and anyone to whom you reported incident.	7.) If your employer offers you modified work based on medical evidence that you are able to perform the work, seek legal counsel. Failure to accept modified work could put your benefits in jeopardy.
3.) When making a Worker's Compensation claim, you should provide a complete and accurate account of how the injury occured, as well the type of injury. Include relevant details from your past medical history as well.	8.) If you are contacted by a vocational rehabilitation firm attempting to find you a new job, seek the advice of a legal professional before you act. Failing to apply for a job identified by the vocational firm could cause a modification or termination of your benefits.
4.) If your employer fails to accept your claim within 21 days, you have the right to seek legal counsel and file for a petition with the court for compensation.	9.) If you receive a petition to modify or terminate your compensation, seek the advice of an attorney before you proceed.
5.) Make sure that your Worker's compensation benefits are accurately determined by making sure the wages they're based on are correct. Generally your compensation should be calculated by taking 66 2/3% of your gross wages from all sources of employment.	10.) Always consult an attorney before you sign a supplement agreement or final settlement receipt. Your attorney can review the documents to make sure your rights are protected.

What You Need to Know