What Our Clients Wish They Knew Before They Were Involved In A Car Accident

Pennsylvania car insurance can be difficult to understand if you don’t know the tricks of the trade. That’s because insurance companies thrive on their insureds’ lack of awareness on what their auto policies mean and what different selections are available. Unfortunately, most of our clients will get their first lesson in automobile insurance when it is too late, after they are in an auto accident. Our goal is to educate as many people as possible on selecting a Pennsylvania car insurance policy that protects you when you need it most.

Unsure how your current policy might affect you after an accident? Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free consultation to review your coverage and understand your rights.

Understanding Pennsylvania Car Insurance Options

Your choice of insurance coverage can significantly impact your rights and financial security after an accident. Let's explore two critical options:

Full Tort vs. Limited Tort Coverage

The first question our firm will ask any client is whether they have limited tort or full tort on their car insurance policy. We cannot recommend enough Full Tort!!!  What does that even mean? Pennsylvania offers you two choices when preparing your car insurance policy: Full tort and limited tort. Your car insurance policy decision between full and limited tort can drastically impact your post-accident rights.

The Impact on Compensation

Opting for “full tort coverage” allows recovery for economic damages and non-economic damages. Full tort coverage preserves your right to seek pain and suffering compensation after an accident but if you choose the limited tort option, you forfeit the right to compensation unless some strict insurance criteria are reached…such as “severe injury”.

Why Full Tort is Often the Better Choice

Insurance companies will often try to sell you the limited tort option by offering you a discount on your monthly premium, which seems great at the time but in the long run the savings are just not worth it. The ability to seek pain and suffering compensation provides important leverage in settlement negotiations. Saving a little each month does not outweigh the emotional and physical suffering one endures in the aftermath of an accident.

Been in a car accident? Get a free case review to understand how your insurance affects your claim. Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates now.

Protecting Yourself with Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

While we hope all drivers carry adequate insurance, reality often falls short. Here's how you can protect yourself:

The Importance of UIM/UM Coverage

Another key area of insurance coverage most clients are unaware of is underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage (UIM/UM). This option ensures you can pursue fair auto accident compensation, even if the other driver is underinsured. or whose insurance is insufficient to compensate you for your damages.

Stacking Coverage: An Additional Layer of Protection

There is additional layer of protection under UIM/UM coverage called “stacking.” Stacking coverage allows policyholders injured in an accident to multiply the UIM/UM coverage by the number of vehicles listed on a single policy, or in some instances, stack household policies, increasing the overall amount available for claims. This can significantly enhance your protection in the event of an accident with an inadequately insured driver.  

Usually, UIM/UM coverage is only a couple bucks a month and ensures that individuals are not left footing the bill if the at-fault driver’s insurance falls short. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is critical to maintain on any policy of insurance. And the best part about it, it is very cheap additional coverage to have on your policy…usually under $50 a year.

Accident with an uninsured driver? Don't settle for less. Call Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free consultation on your rights.

First Party Benefits: Your No-Fault Coverage

Lastly, the concept of First Party Benefits (FPB) often goes unappreciated. Your policy's medical payments coverage plays a crucial role in your immediate post-accident medical care. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state that requires FPB medical payments coverage.

Medical Payments Coverage

This means that regardless of who is at fault for an accident, your own car insurance is responsible for your medical costs up to the limits specified by your policy. After your limit is reached, your own health insurance will pick up the rest of your injury expenses. Adequate medical payments coverage can provide peace of mind during your post-accident recovery.

Optional First Party Benefits

There are other selections that are not required, however, that would be important to choose in order to further protect yourself. Supplementing your medical payments coverage with these options can provide broader post-accident financial protection for you or your loved ones, such as wage loss benefits, funeral benefits, or death benefits.

Struggling with medical bills after an accident? Let our experienced attorneys fight for your rights. Schedule your free consultation today.

Making Informed Decisions About Your Car Insurance Policy

If you have been injured in a car accident, don’t try to navigate Pennsylvania’s complex insurance issues alone. Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free case evaluation now.