With temperatures that can rise well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and can drop down into the minus 30’s, there is no doubt that weather plays a large factor in car accidents in Pennsylvania. Whether motorists are traveling the Appalachian mountain territory or hustling and bustling to work in major cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Auto Insurance is an absolute must.

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements

The cost of living plays a major role in how much a motorist can afford in car insurance, and how much auto insurance they purchase also affects their safety on the roads. Pennsylvania made their state a no fault  state in an effort to keep the costs of Pennsylvania auto insurance rates down. By making Pennsylvania a No Fault state, the amount of lawsuits in the courts would also go down as well.

Since No Fault insurance will not cover every single type of accident, the State of Pennsylvania recommends that its motorists take out Personal Injury Liability insurance to protect them in the accident where they require medical treatment, funds for loss of wages, and death benefits.

Another exception is that if the insured were to be deemed at fault for the accident, Pennsylvania auto insurance companies offer motorists the basic coverage mandated by law for bodily injury and property damage liability. This basic coverage is set at 15/30/5.

• Bodily Injury Liability – With minimum Bodily Injury Liability protection the insured will have up to $15,000 coverage, to pay for medical fees incurred for one single person as a result of the damages the insured has caused in an accident.
• There will be a total amount of $30,000 available for medical expenses should there be more than one person injured in the accident.
• Property Damage Liability – The insured’s Pennsylvania auto insurance company will pay out up to $5,000 for damages sustained on the other driver’s car, and for damages to public property such as guardrails.

These limits are low and represent basic coverage and will not cover larger claims; therefore the state of Pennsylvania recommends that their insured’s take out larger than basic coverage. Pennsylvania also recommends that their motorists take out Comprehensive and Collision coverage to cover any damages to their car. Comprehensive and Collision insurance will also cover damages caused by wildlife or damage caused by nature such as heavy storms.

Pennsylvania State recommends that each driver carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection in the event they become a victim of a hit and run, or the other driver who was deemed at fault was not able to pay for damages to their car.

If the motorist is driving a financed vehicle it is recommended by the State of Pennsylvania, and is often a requirement of the finance companies, to carry GAP insurance. GAP insurance will cover the difference between what the Blue Book listing of the car’s value is, and what there would be left to pay on the car, should the insured be part of an accident which totals the car. This way the insured would not be obligated to continue paying on a car that is no longer in his/her possession.