Auto Insurance
We offer the following Automobile-related services:
Auto insurance policies are unique for each person.
Some factors that determine your policy premium include where you reside, what
coverage and limits you choose, as well as your individual circumstances, the
number of drivers in the household, the number and type of vehicles on the
policy, personal credit, etc. No two policies are alike. The
following automobile-related coverages are available:
Required Coverages in Pennsylvania
Liability Insurance (Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability)
Bodily Injury Liability – If you injure someone in a car
accident, this coverage pays their medical and rehabilitation expenses and any
damages for which you are found liable. You must buy coverage of at least
$15,000/$30,000. The $15,000 pays for injuries to one person while the
$30,000 represents the total available for one accident.
Property Damage Liability – If you damage someone’s
property in an accident and you are at fault, this coverage pays for it.
You must buy at least $5,000 of coverage. Some companies offer a single
limit of $35,000 which meets the bodily injury liability and property damage
liability minimum requirements.
Medical Benefits – This pays medical bills for you and
others covered on your policy regardless of fault. The minimum limit is
$5,000 coverage. Higher limits are available.
Other Options under Pennsylvania’s Auto Law:
Limited Tort – Offers savings on premiums. You are
still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses; however, you
are not able to recover certain damages such as payment for pain and suffering
unless injuries are defined as serious.
Full Tort – With this selection, you retain unrestricted
rights to bring suit against the negligent party.
Uninsured Motorists (UM) – This covers bodily injury for
you or your family if you are hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) – This covers bodily injury
losses for you or your passengers if you are hit by an at-fault motorist who
does not have enough insurance to cover your claim. Though it is the law
that all Pennsylvanians must have auto insurance, it is a fact that many of the
vehicles on our roads are not insured. Many of those who are insured are
only carrying minimum limits of liability. If you have the misfortune of
being hit by one of these “un-“ or “under-“ insured people, you may not
find adequate recovery for your bodily injury claim against them.
Therefore, under certain circumstances, you may seek recovery against your own
insurance company. The Howard Insurance Agency suggests that you acquire
limits at least equal to your own liability limits. This does not apply to
damages to your vehicle or other property but only to those claims under the
“Bodily Injury” heading.
Stacking of UM or UIM – This coverage allows you to
multiply the amount of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage by the number
of vehicles on your policy. It costs extra to stack uninsured or
underinsured motorist coverage.
Funeral Benefit – Pays up to $2,500 if you or a family
member dies as a result of an auto accident.
Income Loss – Pays your wages when injuries sustained in
an auto accident keep you from working.
Collision – This benefit pays to repair damage to your
car as a result of an accident. Most banks or lenders require you to buy
this coverage to receive a car loan. Under Pennsylvania law, the company
applies a $500 deductible unless you request a lower amount. The higher
the deductible, the lower your premium.
Comprehensive – Generally, this pays for theft or damage
to your car from hazards including fire, flood, vandalism, or striking an
animal. Most banks or lenders require you to buy this coverage to receive
a car loan. There are various levels of deductible to purchase.
Extraordinary Medical Benefits – This coverage pays when medical and
rehabilitation expenses exceed $100,000. It provides a maximum of $1
million of coverage.
Do you have enough car insurance? Stop in and let us re-evaluate your insurance needs.
