Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements: Choice No-Fault & Minimums
Minimum coverage requirements
| Coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $15,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $30,000 |
| Property damage per accident | $5,000 |
| First-party medical benefits | $5,000 |
First-party medical benefits (sometimes called PIP in other states) cover your own medical expenses after an accident regardless of fault. This is mandatory in Pennsylvania.
The limited vs. full tort choice
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, meaning drivers choose their tort status when purchasing a policy:
Limited tort: Lower premium. After an accident caused by another driver, you can recover economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses) but can only pursue pain-and-suffering damages if you suffer a "serious injury." Serious injuries include death, serious impairment of a body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Full tort: Higher premium (typically $50–$200 more per year). Preserves your unrestricted right to sue the at-fault driver for any injury, even minor ones, without meeting a threshold.
For most drivers, the choice comes down to this: if you're in an accident with minor injuries and chose limited tort, you likely can't recover pain-and-suffering damages. If you chose full tort, you can.
First-party medical benefits
Pennsylvania requires a minimum of $5,000 in first-party medical benefits. This pays your medical bills after an accident regardless of fault. Optional higher limits (up to $100,000 or more) are available and recommended if you have a high-deductible health plan.
SR-22 filing
Pennsylvania requires an SR-22 after:
- DUI conviction
- Driving without insurance
- Habitual traffic offenses
- License revocation or suspension for serious violations
The SR-22 period in Pennsylvania is typically 3 years.
Penalties for driving without insurance
| Offense | License suspension | Reinstatement fee |
|---|---|---|
| First lapse | 3 months | $50 |
| Second lapse within 3 years | 6 months | $100 |
| Third or more within 3 years | 6 months | $100 |
Pennsylvania's electronic verification system monitors insurance status continuously. A lapse reported by your insurer can trigger suspension quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania requires: $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, $5,000 property damage per accident, and $5,000 first-party medical benefits (similar to PIP).
- What is Pennsylvania's choice no-fault system?
- Pennsylvania gives drivers a choice: limited tort (lower premiums, but you can only sue for pain and suffering if injuries are serious) or full tort (higher premiums, but you retain the unrestricted right to sue for any injury).
- What is the difference between limited and full tort?
- With limited tort, you can sue for economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) but can only seek pain-and-suffering damages if you suffer serious injury. With full tort, you can sue for any injury, however minor. Full tort costs more but gives you broader legal rights.
- What happens if I drive without insurance in Pennsylvania?
- Your license and registration are suspended for 3 months. Reinstatement requires a $50 fee and proof of insurance. Repeat lapses within 3 years result in a 6-month suspension and a $100 reinstatement fee.