At First Choice Insurance we understand that purchasing insurance is a very personal matter and everyone’s needs differ. A First Choice licensed representative will help you with the options available and may make suggestions. Ultimately the insured makes the choices on what they feel may best suit their personal needs and budget.

In Pennsylvania Drivers must purchase and maintain car insurance in order to legally drive. If you own a registered vehicle in the state of Pennsylvania you are obligated to keep it insured at all times. 

If you are stopped for a moving violation and it is determined that you are operating your vehicle without insurance, you could face the following penalties and expenses: 

• A fine for driving uninsured (check the state website for amounts) 
• A 3 month suspension of your vehicle registration 
• A 3 month suspension of your driver’s license 
• Restoration fees to restore your vehicle registration (check the state website for amounts)
• Restoration fees to restore your driver’s license (check the state website for amounts)
• Vehicle impoundment 
• In addition, your vehicle may not be driven by anyone while the registration is suspended.

The state of Pennsylvania maintains that there are certain coverages that are required and others that are optional. It is up to you the insured to make sure you purchase a plan that you feel is best suited to your personal needs. The required coverages are:

Bodily Injury Liability — If you injure someone in a car accident, this coverage pays their medical and rehabilitation expenses and any damages for which you are found liable. The minimum limit is $15,000/ $30,000. The $15,000 would be the maximum paid to one person for, the $30,000 represents the total available for one accident if more than 1 person is involved. Most insurance companies offer you the choice of much higher limits and permit you the ability to customize the policy to your personal needs.

Medical Benefits — This is a first party benefit and pays medical bills for you and others who are covered by your policy, regardless of fault. The minimum limit in Pennsylvania is $5,000 of coverage. Higher limits are usually available.

Property Damage Liability — Pays for other people’s property so if you damage someone’s property in an accident and you are at fault, this coverage pays for it. The minimum limit is $5,000 of coverage. Here again it is important to keep in mind that most insurance companies offer you the choice of much higher limits and permit you the ability to customize the policy to your personal needs.

Limited or Full Tort — In Pennsylvania you can choose to have full or limited tort coverage. Limited tort coverage offers you a savings on your premiums. You are still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses; however, you are not able to recover certain damages - such as payments for pain and suffering - unless the injuries meet one of the exceptions to limited tort as defined in Act 6 of 1990, title 75, section 1705 (d). With full tort coverage selection, you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party.

The coverages listed below are considered optional and may not apply to everyone’s needs. Here again it is important to keep in mind that insurance is a personal matter and each person will have their own personal needs. A First Choice Licensed representative can help you understand how each coverage affects the plan and its premium. It is important to convey your needs to the licensed representative so they can assist you with your coverage choices.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) — This coverage applies to you, your family and your passengers for bodily injury if you are hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist. This does not cover damage to property.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) — This coverage applies to you, your family and your passengers for bodily injury if you are hit by an at-fault motorist who does not have enough insurance to cover your claim. This does not cover damage to property.

Stacking of UM or UIM — This coverage allows you to either multiply the amount of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage by the number of vehicles on your policy or to receive uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage from more than one policy under which you are insured. It will cost you more to stack uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Funeral Benefit — This coverage pays, up to a certain dollar amount, money for funeral expenses if you or a family member dies as a result of an auto accident.

Income Loss — This coverage pays a portion of your lost wages when injuries sustained in an auto accident keep you from working. Insurance companies will usually offer several coverage options so make sure you inquire on the limits available and the cost associated with each.

Collision — This benefit pays to repair damage to your car as a result of an accident. Most banks or lenders require you to buy this coverage to receive a car loan. Under Pennsylvania law, the insurance company applies a $500 deductible unless you request a lower amount. Generally speaking, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. To reduce your policy cost you may decide on a higher deductible. Perhaps $750, $1000 or higher may be an option you decide is best for your personal needs.

Comprehensive — Generally, this pays for theft or damage to your car from hazards including fire, flood, vandalism or striking an animal. Most banks or lenders require you to buy this coverage to receive a car loan. There are various levels of deductible that may be purchased. To reduce your policy cost you may decide on a higher deductible. Perhaps $750, $1000 or higher may be option you decide is best for your personal needs.

Extraordinary Medical Benefits — This is a 1st party benefit and this coverage pays for medical and rehabilitation expenses that exceed $100,000. It provides a maximum of $1 million of coverage.

Accidental death benefit — This benefit is paid to the personal representative of an insured if the bodily injury from a motor vehicle accident results in death within 24 months of the date of the accident.

Rental reimbursement coverage — This pays for an individual’s expenses, up to the limit on their policy, to rent a vehicle if they have a covered comprehensive or collision loss. Here again you may have some choices with different coverage limits. Be sure to inquire to make sure you have an option that best suits your needs

Towing coverage — This reimburses an individual, up to the limit on their policy, for towing and labor costs for a covered disabled vehicle. This coverage is usually only available if comprehensive and collision is carried on the vehicle. 

Gap coverage — This will pays the difference between an insurance company’s payment for a totaled vehicle and the balance of a vehicle loan. This coverage is traditionally only available when an individual is purchasing a new vehicle. This coverage may not be offered by all insurance carriers. Its best to have a detailed discussion with a First Choice licensed representative so you can decide what is best for your needs.