Should I Get Full Tort Coverage for My Car Insurance?
People are often confused about whether to opt for limited tort coverage or full tort coverage for their auto insurance. Up front, the cost of full tort coverage costs more than limited tort, but there’s a reason for it: If you are injured in an accident, with full tort coverage you can pursue an award for noneconomic damages (pain and suffering damages) without proving the severity of your injuries. If you select the Limited Tort option, in order to recover for pain and suffering damages, you must prove that your injuries were “serious”. For various reasons you should seriously consider the Full Tort option, if you can afford it.
What’s the difference between full and limited tort coverage?
You must choose full or limited tort when you buy auto insurance coverage. Limited tort is cheaper because you waive your right to recover noneconomic damages, unless certain exceptions apply, such as:
- The other driver is convicted of driving while intoxicated, the vehicle involved is registered in another state, the collision was intentional, or the other driver stopped paying for insurance
- You suffered a fatal injury, a serious impairment of a body function, or a permanent serious disfigurement
So, for example, if you suffered a back injury that causes chronic pain that limits you, but it’s not considered “serious,” you can’t recover anything for pain and suffering.
Is the extra cost of full tort coverage worth it?
With full tort, since you are not faced with the requirement that you show that your injuries were serious in order to seek recovery for pain and suffering, it is easier to bring claims against a negligent party involved in your vehicle accident. You’re paying extra for the ability to claim more compensation. Saving more now by choosing limited tort coverage could cost you in the future.
If you choose limited tort, you could be limiting your ability to recover damages sustained in an accident. Paying more now in insurance premiums could result in you obtaining more compensation if you’re involved in an accident.
Contact a Bucks County auto accident attorney
For more than 45 years, Attorney Neal E. Newman has helped Pennsylvania clients get fair compensation for injuries caused by others’ negligence. Mr. Newman understands the stress you’re going through. He will deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on your family, your job, and your life.
If you need a lawyer to assess your situation, guide you through your options, and passionately advocate on your behalf, contact the Law Office of Neal E. Newman today to schedule a free initial consultation. Learn more about our services here. Let us help answer the question, “Should I get Full Tort Coverage for My Car Insurance?”
Check here for the frequency of private passenger auto collision insurance claims for physical damage in the United States from 2007 to 2019