Erie Car Insurance Checkup — Do You Need Optional Car Insurance Coverage If You Have Health Insurance?
The beginning of a new year is a great time to review your car insurance coverage. Erie drivers
are aware that they are required by law to carry minimum liability insurance that protects victims in accidents that they cause. However, they may be unaware of some of the optional insurance coverage that can protect them if they are involved in an accident that is not their fault, such as underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance.
Required Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania
Bodily injury, property damage, and medical benefits are required car insurance coverages in
Pennsylvania. Currently, the minimum amounts for required car insurance
are:
- $5,000 in medical benefits coverage,
which pays medical bills for you and others covered by your policy, regardless of
who is at fault for the accident - $15,000 bodily injury coverage for
injury or death to a single person in an accident you cause ($30,000 per
accident) - $5,000 property damage coverage for
damage to another person’s vehicle for an accident that is your fault
If all drivers are required to carry medical payments coverage and minimum liability
car insurance, why would you need optional car insurance, especially if you
have health insurance coverage?
Health Insurance Coverage vs. Optional Car Insurance
Many drivers in Pennsylvania save money by choosing to purchase minimum insurance coverage. They decline optional insurance coverage. Some people believe if they have health insurance, they will be okay after a car accident, even if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
However, health insurance only pays a portion of your medical bills. You are responsible
for deductibles and co-pays. Also, health insurance does not compensate you for
other damages arising from the car accident, such as loss of income, physical
pain, travel expenses, personal care, and emotional suffering.
To protect yourself and your family, you may want to discuss optional insurance coverage with your insurance agent. The cost of optional car insurance is often low, especially considering the potential value you receive from the coverage in the event of a car accident that is not your fault.
Types of optional car insurance you may want to consider include:
- Income Loss Coverage pays for loss of
income because of injuries sustained in a car accident. - Comprehensive Insurance pays for property
damage to your vehicle for covered events other than a crash that you cause. - Collision Insurance pays for property
damage to your vehicle from an accident that is your fault. - Uninsured Motorist Insurance compensates
you for damages sustained in a car wreck caused by an uninsured driver. - Underinsured Motorist Insurance compensates
you when an at-fault driver’s insurance coverage does not cover your damages
fully. - Extraordinary Medical Benefits can compensate
you for medical expenses that exceed $100,000. - Accidental Death Benefits compensates
family members when a person dies in a car crash or within 24 hours of the
accident.
There could be additional optional insurance coverage that you might need depending on your specific situation and circumstances. Your insurance agent can review each type of insurance coverage, exclusions, policy limits, deductibles, and premiums to help you decide what is best for you and your family.
Contact an Erie Car Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
If you are injured in an accident, our Erie car accident lawyer can review your car insurance
to determine if you might be entitled to additional compensation. We work
diligently to identify all types of insurance coverage that can help maximize
the amount of compensation you receive for your car accident claim.
To schedule your free legal consultation with a car accident attorney in Erie,
contact The Travis Law Firm by calling (800) 401-2066.