Our law firm is still here for you during this time of uncertainty. We are open and conducting business without interruption.

An Update From Our Firm Regarding COVID-19

Limited Tort vs. Full Tort

What's the Difference Between Limited Tort and Full Tort?

Pennsylvania offers you a choice when you're preparing your car insurance policy. You're able to choose Full Tort – which allows you to sue for pain and suffering – or you can choose Limited Tort and forfeit the right to compensation for pain and suffering. Typically, Limited Tort offers you a small discount on your monthly premium.

It sounds pretty cut and dry, right? Limited Tort can seem appealing at first, because it saves you money immediately on your monthly bill. But when you're injured in an accident and want to recover for your pain and suffering, you'll realize that the savings you took when you signed the policy just weren't worth it. Saving a few dollars a month can't outweigh the emotional and physical suffering of a car accident.

View Transcript It reminds me of one of those commercials where the insurance company has a big red stamp, "rejected." If you have a limited tort they get out the big red stamp, "rejected." One of the first questions you're asked by your agent is do you want full tort or limited tort. A good question. I always suggest choose full tort. If you have limited tort you can only recover for your injuries if you have a serious injury. Unless you have almost a catastrophic injury the kind that could put you in a wheelchair, the kind that'll keep you off work for six months. An insurance company at first pass is just going to say "rejected, you have limited tort." Well you'll say, "heck, I have a serious injury," guess what? The insurance company is going to say almost every time "you don't have a serious injury" and you'll say "but I, but I but, I have, but...." The Insurance company is going to say "you don't have a serious injury and you're not going to get paid." So what happens if you have limited tort, any injury but the most heinous injury, the kinds of injuries where you're not hospitalized for a week or the kind or injury where you're not off work for three or four months. The insurance company says, "rejected, you have limited tort." The insurance companies aren't in the business to pay claims, so if they have a reason to deny a claim, whether it's meritorious or not, they're going to take that reason and deny the claim.

What You Lose with Limited Tort

Waiving your right to recover pain and suffering might sound like a good idea if you're interested in saving on your monthly premium. However, you have to weigh the amount you're saving versus the damage a potentially harmful car accident could cause.

More often than not, car accidents leave lasting, harmful effects on the victims. Car accidents are more than just broken bones, cuts, and bruises. Sometimes the effects of a car accident are life-changing and stay with you forever.

When you choose Limited Tort, you waive your right to recover compensation for those lifelong after effects. Unfortunately, too many PA drivers don't realize what they lose by choosing Limited Tort until it's far too late. Our law firm has heard countless horror stories. That's why we try to help people understand the right decision for their car insurance.

The Benifits of Full Tort

We always encourage PA drivers to keep Full Tort on their auto insurance. The small amount of money you save on your monthly premium with Limited Tort is nothing compared to the cost of a life-changing car accident.

The effects of a car crash injury are not fully known until weeks, months, or even years after an accident. Complications often arise and – without Full Tort – you could be left holding the bill for an accident you didn't cause.

It's important to understand that Full Tort is one of the best forms of protection for the future. If you're in one serious accident, you'll more than make up for what you've paid each month. We highly recommend Full Tort coverage to protect you and your loved ones.

Understanding PA Auto Insurance

Download our free PA Auto Insurance eBook. It'll help you understand the right coverage – not just the minimum coverage – for your vehicle in Pennsylvania. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your family with the insurance policy that covers you best.

If you're ever hurt in an accident, our legal representatives are standing by to answer your questions. Call us for a free legal consultation at 412-394-1000. We're available any time.

This guide is not a complete summary of the Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Law. It is designed to highlight certain important features of this law and should not be considered legal advice. Everyone has different insurance needs. If you have any questions concerning your coverage, please contact your insurance company representative.