What in Heaven's Name is Full Tort and Why do I need it in my auto insurance policy in PA?

by Sandra B. Worthington on Jul. 23, 2014

Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury 

Summary: Why should you pay a little extra to have "Full Tort" and Uninsured Motorist Coverage on your auto insurance policy?


PA drivers need to purchase FULL TORT coverage on their auto policies.  Only if you have FULL TORT coverage and Uninsured and Underinsured motorist coverage can you be sure you are protected in the event you are injured in an auto accident.  I realize you don't want to read your auto insurance policy and you would rather leave it up to your agent or company to decide what you should have.  However, your agent may have quoted you the cheapest premium because you wanted the best price.  Well, sometimes you "get what you paid for".  This is an example of that. 

If you have LIMITED TORT, you cannot pursue a claim for pain and suffering unless your injuries are very serious.  This means if you are an avid golfer and have injured your back in an auto accident, unless you are taken out of work by your doctor for many months (usually at least six months!)  you will NOT be considered seriously injured by the insurance company for the other driver.  The insurance adjuster for the other driver will stone-wall your claim unless your doctor will say that you have suffered from a SERIOUS injury.  Many doctors don't think an injury is serious unless it is incapacitating.  However, in YOUR mind, it is a serious injury because you cannot play your favorite sport and are in pain at work most of the day.  Even if you can never play golf again (assuming you are not a golf pro) you will probably be unable to win such a case if you are a "limited tort insured".  The coverage you select on your own policy determines whether you will be fully protected.

In addition to FULL TORT, you need to purchase Uninsured and Underinsured coverage.  This is the coverage that protects you against a person who runs into you who has no insurance or a tiny policy.  Keep in mind the minimum auto insurance liability limits in PA are only $15,000!  Your co-pays alone could exceed that in a serious accident.  Even if you have Full Tort, if the defendant driver who caused the accident has no insurance, you will not receive any compensation at all for your injuries unless you have purchased UNINSURED motorist coverage.  Yes, you are, indeed, insuring yourself against an irresponsible person who has defied the law by not having insurance, but it is likely such a person does not have any assets so pursuing a case is a waste of time as such defendants are often judgment-proof. 

Uninsured and Underinsured motorist coverage is very inexpensive in PA.  You will be shocked to hear how cheap it is when you ask your agent.  Full tort will be somewhat more expensive, especially if you live in Philadelphia.  However, you are not fully protected unless you have Full Tort plus Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage.  Call your agent now and add those to your policy.  If the policy seems too expensive, ask your agent to give you a quote with increased deductibles for your collision and comprehensive coverages to see if that will make the price more reasonable.  And remember you always have the right to change insurance companies.  Progressive Insurance will give you a quote for the cheapest three companies for the coverages you want (and need) even if the list does not include them.  That is a quick, one-stop shop to get a reality check on whether you are paying too much for your policy.

If you have any questions at all about this content, feel free to call our office at 215-576-5150 and ask for a brochure which explains this more fully.  It will be sent to you free of charge.

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