What is Pittsburgh Auto Insurance?

Pittsburgh Auto Insurance protects the policy holder against losses that may occur when using a motor vehicle. Car insurance is a contract between the policy holder and the insurance company, where the insurance company will agree to pay the loss associated with the car once you pay your monthly premiums. Under Pittsburgh car insurance different types of coverages may be purchased. These include property damage, bodily damage injury, collision, comprehensive, medical payments or personal injury and finally uninsured coverage.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania it is law that all motor cars should have auto insurance. The type of coverage is often times dependent on you. If you lease a car the leasing company may specify which type of car insurance you need to have on your vehicle. Many Pittsburgh auto insurance policies usually last between 6 months or a year, depending on how you purchase it. Your monthly premium should arrive in the mail and should be paid on time to ensure that your vehicle is covered by Pittsburgh car insurance.

 

As mentioned earlier there are 6 different types of Pittsburgh auto insurance. Each one offer something different and you need to decide what you want and how you want your vehicle protected. Every car insurance coverage has its advantages and disadvantages, so spend some time understanding and then decide which one is best for you.

Whats is Comprises a Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Policy?

1. Bodily Injury Liability Bodily injury liability under Pittsburgh auto insurance will cover the medical costs of an injured driver if it is the fault of the person covered by the policy. This type of coverage has a broad umbrella so if the policy holder or person’s who the policy holder gives permission to drive the car are involved, the other party is still covered.  

It is often suggested that people who get this type of coverage get more than the Pennsylvania State limit as it relates to bodily injury liability. The reason behind this is the fact that if you are not fully or under covered then in the event that an accident does occur and the injured party decides to sue you, then you should be able to handle this suit. Often times people who do not have proper coverage get sued and their personal assets such as car or home is at stake.

E.g.: You are driving your car in Pittsburgh and all of a sudden a deer runs out on the road. You swerve to avoid the deer and end up crashing into a oncoming car. The person in the car is seriously injured and needs to spend some time in the hospital. In a case like this if you have the proper coverage the insurance company will pay for all medical costs that the injured party will have.

2. Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical payments or personal injury protection coverage in Pittsburgh auto insurance is essentially the same type of coverage as bodily injury liability. The one difference that is seen between the two coverage is the fact that aside from drivers in other vehicles; drivers and passengers in the policy holders car are also covered against injuries received in an accident.

Medical payments (PIP) can sometimes cover medical costs associated with an accident. Depending on your insurance you can also get paid for wages lost due to the accident or in the event of a fatal accident, then funeral costs can be covered.

E.g.: You are driving in busy Downtown Pittsburgh, when a big rig rear ends you and you end up with some injuries. If both you and the passengers in your car have injuries then PIP coverage will take care of most of the medical bills. If you or your passengers are unable to work due to the severity of the injuries, then the policy will also cover your lost wages.

3. Property Damage Liability

Pittsburgh car insurance has a coverage called Property Damage Liability. This type of coverage is very popular and the monthly premiums are often very low. If you happen to be driving and the insured car crashes into someone and there is damage to the other person’s car; the insurance company will cover the cost to fix the other parties car.  This will also apply to anyone in the covered car that you give permission to drive. Property damage liability will also cover damage caused by your car to property such as buildings, fences and others in the event you are at fault and crashed into them.

E.g.: Say you are on the way to the club in downtown Pittsburgh and you happen to break a stop sign and crash into someone else’s car. The insurance company will pay to fix the individuals car you crashed into.

4. Collision

Under Pittsburgh car insurance, collision coverage will repair or replace the policy owner’s car if he is involved in an accident. No matter who is at fault the motor vehicle will be covered. That means the car could be hit, or crash into something and the insurance company will cover the cost to fix, repair or replace the car. This type of coverage does require the policy holder to have a deductable, which is paid to the insurance company in the event of an accident.

In Pittsburgh auto insurance the deductible is a set monetary amount. The policy holder is often given a guideline as how much his deductible would be. He can pay the minimum or more which have advantages and disadvantages. The higher you set your deductible is the lower your monthly premiums will be. The lower the deductible is, the higher the cost of your monthly premiums. Once you are involved in an accident, the deductible is paid and the insurance company pays the rest.

The deductible can be reimbursed in the event of accident if it is proved that the policy holder was not the one at fault. You will pay the deductible but you will receive the money back once the other part’s insurance company pays back for the damage.
E.g.: you are driving in Downtown Pittsburgh and someone crashes into you. Then the insurance company will then pay for the damage to your vehicle once you pay for your part of the damage. If you set your deductible to be $1000 and the damage is $2500, then the insurance company will pay the remaining $1500.
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5. Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage under Pittsburgh motor vehicle insurance will cover the  policy holder’s vehicle against damage due to loss because of theft, , falling objects, fire, flood or hurricane. In this case comprehensive coverage will reimburse the policy holder the value of the car or the damage. This coverage also requires a deductible, the higher your deductible, the lower your Pittsburgh car insurance premium.  This type of coverage is one of the most popular insurance options in the United States as it gives you total coverage.

E.g.: Your car is parked and it is very windy. You are parked under a tree and a branch falls and destroys your car. Comprehensive coverage the insurance company will reimburse you for the damage to the vehicle. The deductible will be taken and the insurance company will pay the rest.  

6. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage under Pittsburgh auto insurance will reimburse the policy holder for damage done to his car by someone who hits is car who has little or no insurance. Coverage is also extended to drivers of the insured car that the policy holder gives permission to drive. This works also with hit and run accidents or people who’s insurance is insufficient.

E.g.: You are on the way to the club in Downtown Pittsburgh and a car runs the stop sign and hits you. The person who hits you then drives away from the scene leaving you with damage to your car. Under this coverage the insurance company will cover the costs to repair or replace your car.