The Tort Coverage You Choose Could Affect Your Family, Too

3. Whatever option you choose, full tort or limited tort, it could affect your family, too.

If other family members live in your household and do not have an automobile insurance policy, they are considered to have the tort option the person with insurance has elected. For instance, if you have children and they are involved in an automobile accident, they are considered to the have the same tort option that you have.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence.

Is Limited Tort Really Less Expensive?

2. People choose limited tort on their policy because it saves them a little money right now, but if you get in a bad accident it won’t save you anything; in fact you could cost you thousands.

Limited tort is often pushed by the insurance companies as being more attractive than full tort because it is less expensive; however, what the insurance company doesn’t tell you is that the savings is minimal and if you or a loved one is injured because of someone else’s negligence you have given up your right to make a claim for pain and suffering except under the few exceptions of limited tort.

What a lot of people don’t realize or think of when setting up their policy is an injury could last for quite some time causing many doctor’s visits, procedures, medications, and possibly even cost you your job if the injury prevents you from performing your duties. These expenses add up quickly and are only covered up to the amount you have selected for your wage loss and/or medical expenses. After those coverage expenses are exhausted any remaining bills or wage loss is no longer the responsibility of your insurance company.

In some cases you can make a claim for pain and suffering to cover these unexpected expenses, but in most cases you can only do this if you have full tort on your policy. This is why it is not only a good idea to have full tort on your policy, but also the reason not having full tort can cost you thousands.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence.

Do You Know the Difference?

1. It’s common for us to ask if you have full tort on your insurance policy and many times people will respond with, “I have full coverage.” Full coverage and full tort are not one in the same.

Normally, full coverage means you have all the state required liability options, as well as collision and comprehensive on your policy. While you do have to pick a tort coverage, full or limited, full tort is not required in Pennsylvania. This means if you have all the required liability options, collision, and comprehensive, but selected limited tort, you can not get compensation for pain and suffering.

What does compensation for pain and suffering mean exactly? Sometimes an injury is severe and will last for many months or even years causing you medical treatment for months or years to come. By choosing full tort you can protect yourself in the event of a long lasting injury that is caused by the negligence of another.

As we've mentioned before it's smart to think of 'what if' scenarios when setting up your insurance policy.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence. For more information on Auto Insurance and to ensure you and your family truly are, "fully covered," visit our website.

The Truths about Tort Coverage (full and limited)

Here at The Pisanchyn Law Firm we think it's important to educate our friends, families, and clients on our different areas of practice. Each week we compile a list of important facts that most people don't know, and as a result, could harm them or their claim. As the week goes on we share more information on each fact.

1. It’s common for us to ask if you have full tort on your insurance policy and many times people will respond with, “I have full coverage.” Full coverage and full tort are not one in the same.
2. People choose limited tort on their policy because it saves them a little money right now, but if you get in a bad accident it won’t save you anything; in fact you could cost you thousands.
3. Whatever option you choose, full tort or limited tort, could affect your family, too.
4. Insurance companies have strict definitions of what serious injury really is, and even though there is a serious injury exception for limited tort, you still may not get compensation for your pain and suffering.
5. Along with serious injury, there are other exceptions to limited tort but relying on these exceptions alone to be compensated for your pain and suffering, in most cases, will not help you.

Is there a particular practice area you'd like to know more about? Let us know! We are always looking for ways to help our clients, friends, families, and acquaintances and with your feedback we can get you the information you need. Comment on this post, send us a message on Facebook or Twitter, or email us at newsletter@pisanchyn.com with any suggestions or topics you'd like to know more about.

Do You Know When Your Insurance Premium Can be Increased?

5. If you're worried your insurance premium will be increased after you report a claim, don't be. The insurance company can only increase your premium for one reason.

An insurance company can only increase your insurance premium based on "risk." If an accident is more than 50% your fault then you are more at "risk" and only then can the insurance company raise your premium. If you are the victim of another driver's negligence your premium can not be increased.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence. For more information on Auto Insurance and to ensure you and your family truly are, "fully covered," visit our website.

Is Your Monthly Income Protected?

4. If an accident puts you out of work you could lose your monthly income unless you have this optional coverage on your policy.

Wage loss coverage is an option you can put on your insurance policy that will protect you in the event an accident injury prevents you from working. If added onto your policy then your insurance company is required, by law, to pay 80% of your gross income when you cannot return to your job from injuries sustained in the accident.

As we mentioned yesterday, the state minimum coverage doesn't save you anything in the long run and the same is true with wage loss coverage. The least amount of wage loss you can select is 1,000/5,000. This means, for instance, if you are out of work for 5 months, your insurance company will pay up to $1,000 per month for those 5 months. If you are out work for longer than 5 months but only have the minimum selected, you could lose your monthly income until you return to work.

Another way to protect you and your family after an accident is by calling The Pisanchyn Law Firm as soon as you are injured so our experienced injury attorneys can help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

State Minimum Coverage Doesn't Save You in the Long Run

3. Everyone with an insurance policy in Pennsylvania has to have Medical Expense Coverage but having this as is on your policy may not be enough.

What we mean by this is simple; if you have the minimum amount required by law, which is $5,000, but your medical expenses after an accident accumulate to $10,000, your insurance will only pay for $5,000 of it. It's important to think of 'what if' scenarios such as these when selecting your insurance coverage to be sure you and your family are fully protected incase you are ever the victim of a car accident. Click here for more information on Medical Expense Coverage.

Another way to protect you and your family after an accident is by calling The Pisanchyn Law Firm as soon as you are injured so our experienced injury attorneys can help you receive the full compensation you deserve.