Full Tort vs. Limited Tort Insurance: Understanding the Difference in Pennsylvania
When you buy auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you face a crucial decision: full tort or limited tort coverage. The choice can significantly affect your ability, and the ability of family members who live with you, to seek compensation after an accident. Here is what the difference means.
What is tort insurance?
A tort is a wrongful act that causes harm to someone, and under tort law the person harmed can seek compensation from the person responsible. In auto insurance, your tort option determines your right to sue for damages after a car accident.
Full tort insurance
Full tort gives you the unrestricted right to sue the at-fault driver for both economic and non-economic damages:
- Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses, such as medical bills, lost wages and property damage.
- Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of life's enjoyment.
With full tort, you keep the right to pursue non-economic damages regardless of how severe your injuries are. That matters if you live with chronic pain or a reduced quality of life that goes beyond the cost of treatment.
Limited tort insurance
Limited tort restricts your ability to sue for non-economic damages. You can still seek economic losses like medical expenses and lost income, but recovery for pain and suffering is generally limited, unless your injuries meet the legal definition of a serious injury, which can include:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Permanent loss of a bodily function
- Permanent and serious disfigurement
These exceptions set a high bar that many injuries do not meet.
Cost differences
Limited tort usually comes with lower premiums. The trade-off is the limit on your right, and your resident family members' rights, to recover for pain and suffering. Full tort costs more up front but provides broader protection, which is especially valuable if you suffer injuries that do not meet the serious injury threshold but still change your life.
ViKing Law always recommends obtaining full tort insurance. If you were hurt in a crash and are not sure what your policy allows, learn how car accident claims work or call (610) 299-8022 for a free consultation.