When you move to a new state, one of the things that you have to change over is your car insurance. While it is certainly important that you move over things like your cable and home phone service, updating your car insurance is crucial because each state has different requirements when it comes to your car insurance. If you are moving to Pennsylvania, for example, you might want to consider contacting one of the many Erie insurance agents that are available so they can explain to you all of the details you will need to know to make the transition as smooth as possible.

One of the things that Erie insurance agents will tell you is that Pennsylvania is a Tort state. This means that if you get into an accident, a “guilty” party must be determined before insurance costs are applied. “Guilty” does not necessarily mean “malicious,” but rather that one person is said to be more responsible than any other people involved with the accident, and it is their insurance company that is responsible for handling the aftermath. You could be “guilty” of causing an accident simply because you had to avoid an animal or child in the road, for example. If you moved from a “no-fault” state, the Tort system will seem very different and could take some getting used to because in a “no-fault” state, everyone is responsible for their own repairs and personal expenses.

Most Erie agents will also inform you that Pennsylvania state law requires that you have a minimum amount of coverage in order to be considered street legal on the road. Every state has its own minimum requirements and for Pennsylvania you need to have:

$15,000 / $30,000 in Bodily Injury Liability coverage
$5,000 in Property Damage Liability coverage
$5,000 in First Party Benefits like Personal Injury Protection

These policy requirements are based on local and national statistics and are designed to protect everyone who uses the roads including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and private residences and businesses along the highway.

Liability means “responsible,” in a nutshell. The first two aspects of your car insurance in Pennsylvania, means that you are “responsible” for damages you may have caused in the event of an accident. Good insurance agents can further explain how this pertains to your driving and how this affects your premium. You need to have this, in every state, because it ensures that no matter who is responsible for an accident, everyone who is involved will get the care that they need.

Many Erie insurance agents will also probably suggest that you get supplemental coverage as well. For instance, you can add on a feature that protects you from Underinsured Motorists. This gives you extra coverage in case you get into an accident and the other driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all of the damages. This extra coverage goes towards both repair or replacement of your vehicle as well as covering the medical costs that might be associated with personal injury.

Author Bio: Univ of Pitt Grad 1984 Started Williams Agency 1986 Providing Better Insurance for Pa & NY residents for Less Money Better Pennsylvania auto insurance for less money email to: dan@williams-agency.net

Category: Finances
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