Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is a complicated matter. Many people have an insurance policy but do not exactly understand how they are covered or what they will do if they find themselves in the position of needing to utilize their insurance. Discover the basic types of car insurance and find out how to obtain the coverage you need for your particular situation.

Collision Coverage – This is the basic insurance type that covers your vehicle if you collide, or run into something. This covers collisions with other vehicles as well as with objects.

Comprehensive Coverage – This covers anything that may happen to your car that is not directly related to a collision. This would include things such as theft, fire, hitting a deer or vandalism.

Liability Coverage – This type of coverage covers the damages when you are at fault in an accident and you damage someone else’s car or property. Liability coverage is often mandated by law, so it is important that you, as the driver, make certain you have an adequate amount.

Medical Payments – This is also called PIP in some states. Medical payments pay for any injuries to the driver or passengers that occur if an accident occurred while you were driving. Medical payment insurance varies from state to state, so make certain you are covered as expected.

Full Tort – You also have the right to seek compensation for non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent injuries, scarring, and spousal loss of consortium.

Limited Tort – You only have the right to seek compensation for these non-monetary damages under strict and limiting circumstances such as:

• You suffered a serious injury. This will be determined by the courts and is typically defined as a personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment or body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
• The other driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or accepts an ARD program.
• The other driver committed an intentional act which caused your injuries.
• The other driver was operating a vehicle registered in another state.
• The other driver has no insurance.
• Pedestrian or bicycle rider injured by an automobile.
• The injury included a “serious injury” under the law.
• Passenger in a commercial vehicle or motorcycle. If the injured party was a passenger on a bus, tax, Uber, Lyft, rental vehicle, motorcycle or any other type of vehicle that is not a “private passenger vehicle.” The injured party is entitled to full tort coverage even if they chose limited tort on their own policy.