What is Full Tort and What Are the Benefits?

When it comes to auto insurance, you may have come across the terms “full tort” and “limited tort.” If you live in Pennsylvania, understanding the difference between these two options is key to ensuring you have the right protection when you need it most. Let’s dive into what full tort is and why it might be the better option for you.

What is Full Tort?

In Pennsylvania, you have the choice between full tort and limited tort when selecting auto insurance coverage. Full tort gives you the unrestricted right to seek financial compensation for injuries caused by another driver, without limitations. This means that if you are in an accident, you can pursue claims for medical expenses, lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

What is Limited Tort?

Limited tort, on the other hand, restricts your ability to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, unless the injuries are severe enough to meet specific legal thresholds (e.g., disfigurement, death). While it offers cheaper premiums, it comes with limitations that could leave you undercompensated in certain situations.

How Does This Affect Your Dependent Children?

If you have dependent children living in your household who are underage and do not yet have their own auto insurance, the tort option you choose can impact their ability to seek compensation if they’re injured in an accident.

For example, if your child is a passenger in your vehicle or involved in an accident as a pedestrian, their ability to recover compensation for pain and suffering is tied to the tort option on your policy.

Full Tort

Your children will have the same unrestricted right to pursue claims for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages as you would. This can provide peace of mind knowing your entire family is fully protected.

Limited Tort

Your children will face the same limitations on seeking non-economic damages unless their injuries meet the legal threshold. This could result in them receiving less compensation if their injuries are not classified as “severe.”

Benefits of Full Tort Coverage

1. Comprehensive Protection: Full tort ensures you’re fully compensated not just for the physical damages but for the emotional and psychological impact an accident can have on your life. This can make a significant difference, especially when recovering from a traumatic event.
2. More Legal Flexibility: With full tort, you’re not limited by strict injury definitions or thresholds to seek damages. You have more legal flexibility to pursue claims, which can be critical if you suffer injuries that fall into a gray area.
3. Peace of Mind: While full tort costs more upfront, the peace of mind it provides knowing that you won’t face financial hurdles in getting fair compensation can be invaluable. No one plans to get into an accident, but if the worst happens, you want to be prepared.
4. Long-Term Savings: While limited tort might save you money on premiums initially, full tort can save you much more in the long run if you’re involved in an accident. Medical costs and the potential financial burden from lost wages and ongoing treatments can add up quickly. Full tort ensures you’re not left covering those costs out of pocket.

Is Full Tort Right for You?

Deciding between full tort and limited tort depends on your personal preferences and financial situation. If you value more complete protection and the ability to seek full compensation for all potential damages, full tort is likely the right choice. However, if you’re focused on keeping premiums low and are willing to take on more risk, limited tort might be worth considering.

Remember, accidents happen when we least expect them, and having the right coverage in place ensures that you won’t be caught off guard when life throws you a curveball.

Questions?