Do You Have The Right Personal Auto Insurance Coverages?

Personal auto insurance coverages are a must. But do you have the right coverages? Do you  understand the personal auto insurance coverages you pay for every month to protect yourself in case you or a family member are involved in an accident?

Let’s first take a look at the personal auto insurance coverages that are required by law in the state of Pennsylvania: bodily injury, property damage and medical expenses.

Bodily Injury (BI):

  • This is coverage for the person you hit, not yourself. Bodily injury helps pay for injuries to others if you're at fault for an accident. It pays out per person and per occurrence.

  • For example, carrying the PA state minimum 15/30 means that you have $15,000 per person and $30,000 per occurrence. That is the maximum pay out for the complete accident under bodily injury coverage.

  • This might sound like a lot, but when you think about the cost of an emergency room visit, doctor fees and the cost of all the tests they run – blood work, x-rays, CAT scans, etc. – $15,000 does not go far. If someone is seriously injured, this could leave you open to a lawsuit. The court could determine the amount due for their permanent injuries over the limit on your insurance policy. That could make your personal assets vulnerable.

Property Damage (PD)

  • PD is the coverage to repair or replace the property you damaged in the accident. This can include vehicles, utility poles, guard rails, and other types of property. People have driven through homes and commercial buildings which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair or rebuild. 

  • The PA state minimum is only $5,000. That is almost never enough to repair most vehicles if there is significant damage.

  • This tends to be very inexpensive compared to other coverages. I highly suggest that my clients look into a minimum of $100,000 in coverage.

Medical Expenses (MedPay)

  • PA requires drivers to have $5,000 in medical benefits coverage, which covers medical bills for the driver and his or her household members after an accident.

  • You must report to the doctor and/or hospital if your injuries are a direct result from an auto related accident. You must use your auto insurance medical coverage first.

Have questions about your personal auto insurance coverages or auto insurance in general? Contact Donna O’Sullivan Insurance Agency for your free insurance review.

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