Automobile Insurance Guide: Information for Pennsylvania Motorists
When car accidents occur, many people wonder what their next step should be. While contacting an attorney is important to seek justice against a negligent motorist, you should document the crash first and contact your auto insurance provider.
This process and the need for auto insurance can be a mystery to some people. The lawyers here at our Scranton, PA would like to cover some of the basics when it comes to auto insurance matters in this state.
Auto Insurance Laws in Pennsylvania
In the state of Pennsylvania, all households must have vehicle liability insurance on all registered vehicles. This shows financial responsibility for your own vehicles in the event of a collision.
What’s Covered by Auto Insurance?
The required auto insurance coverage for Pennsylvania motorists includes the following:
- Medical Benefits - Covers medical expenses for you and others in your insurance policy, minimum limit $5,000
- Property Damage Liability - Covers damage to another person’s property in an accident if you were at fault, minimum limit $5,000
- Bodily Injury Liability - Covers liability to another motorist injured as a result of a collision, minimum limit $15,000/$30,000
Additional optional coverages may also be purchased as part of an auto insurance policy, including protections for collisions with uninsured motorists, funerary costs, lost wages and income, and so forth.
A Helpful Auto Insurance Guide for Drivers of All Ages
Certain insurance matters can be complicated, and you may not know where to turn for answers. To help, here’s a guide to auto insurance for Pennsylvania drivers.
The guide was put together by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. It covers the basics of auto insurance, how to file an insurance claim, and a glossary of terms to make the whole process simpler and easy to understand.
Feel free to save and share the PDF in the link provided above. It’s a short and clear read that will help drivers of all ages understand what’s required of them and why.
Can I Drive without Purchasing Auto Insurance?
Technically you can do this, but it is against the law and not advisable.
If you are pulled over or get into an accident and do not have insurance, you can face stiff fines and penalties. Make sure you at least have the minimum required vehicle liability insurance on each registered vehicle before driving.
Penalties for Driving without Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania
Penalties for driving a vehicle without insurance include:
- Suspension of your driver’s license for three months
- Impounding of your vehicle
- Fine of $300
- $50 fee to restore vehicle registration and your license
Additional penalties may be included depending on the circumstances of the situation.
What Should I Do After an Auto Accident?
The insurance guide above provides solid information about what you should do after a collision. Be sure to do the following:
- Call 911 if there are any injuries
- Exchange information with the other driver(s)
- Exchange information with any witnesses who are present
- Write down vehicle makes, models, and license plate numbers
- Note the date, time, and location of the collision
- Take photos or videos of the damage to the vehicles
- Write down the events of the accident
With the information obtained above, you can then file an insurance claim. This should be done as soon as possible after the collision. Once that is done, you can then contact a lawyer about potential legal action.
Learn More About Auto Accident Litigation
For more information about auto accident litigation and how we can help you in your time of legal need, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. The lawyers of the Foley Law Firm are here to provide expert counsel.