If you are a resident of Pennsylvania and you are planning to purchase a car, Pennsylvania auto insurance is something that you definitely need to consider. Auto insurance is mandatory in the state, which means the state of Pennsylvania will not permit you to drive if you car is not insured. If you need to know more about Pennsylvania auto insurance, here are some of the most frequently asked questions and the answers to them:
What is auto insurance and why do I need it?
Pennsylvania auto insurance is a written contract or agreement between you, as the vehicle owner, and the insurance company. Under the typical insurance contract, the insured pays a premium in return for the guarantee that the insurance company will indemnify the insured in the event of an accident or emergency. You need it because you need protection against financial losses in case you figure in a vehicular accident.
What happens if I don’t get my car insured or my auto insurance renewed?
There are repercussions attached to driving an uninsured vehicle. In Pennsylvania, it is a crime to operate an uninsured automobile. If you are caught driving with a lapsed insurance, your driver’s license may be suspended for three months, and you will be required to surrender your car’s license plate as well as your registration sticker along with your driver’s license to the Department of Transportation. Depending on the traffic violation that you are caught committing, you can also be fined and/or your vehicle impounded.
Are there exceptions to this?
You may be exempted if you are able to prove that the lapse of your auto insurance is less than 31 days, and that you have not driven your vehicle during this lapse.
What types of coverage does Pennsylvania auto insurance requires?
The required coverage types under Pennsylvania law includes: medical benefits at a minimum limit of $5,000, bodily injury liability at minimum limits of $15,000 for single-person injuries and $30,000 total for multiple-person injuries, property damage liability at a minimum limit of $5,000, and your choice between limited or full tort.
What types of coverage are optional?
The optional coverage types under Pennsylvania law are: uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, stacking of uninsured and underinsured motorists, funeral benefits, loss of income, collision, and comprehensive insurance, extraordinary medical benefits for a minimum of $100,000 up to a maximum of $1 million, accidental death benefits, rental reimbursement coverage, towing and gap coverage.
What information do I need when I apply for Pennsylvania auto insurance?
You will need to decide which of the optional coverage types you want covered. In addition, you also need to set your limits for liability, and the deductions that you want to apply. Knowing the types of deductibles available to you can considerably bring down your premium rates. In addition, you also need to have the following information handy: the names, ages, genders and civil status of everyone who will operate the vehicle; the driving record of the vehicle, including its accidents and traffic violations; the average mileage per year; the complete identification number of the vehicle; the year and cost of the car; and other special equipment attached to the car.
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