State requirements
Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements & Full vs Limited Tort (2026)
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5 liability plus ,000 First Party Benefits (FPB). Drivers must choose between Limited Tort and Full Tort coverage.
Data reviewed October 24, 2026
Pennsylvania operates a choice no-fault system under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL), 75 Pa.C.S. § 1701. Every driver buying policy coverage must execute a tort election: Limited Tort (lower premium, limited right to sue for pain and suffering) or Full Tort (full rights to sue).
| Feature | Limited Tort | Full Tort |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Cost | 12%–18% lower | Standard rate |
| Medical Bill Coverage | Full First Party Benefits (k min) | Full First Party Benefits (k min) |
| Pain & Suffering Lawsuits | Barred unless serious injury exception | Unrestricted right to sue at-fault driver |
| Property Damage Recovery | Standard tort recovery | Standard tort recovery |
Statutory Minimums and First Party Benefits
Pennsylvania law sets minimum liability at ,000 per person, ,000 per accident for bodily injury, and ,000 for property damage (15/30/5). Pennsylvania also mandates ,000 in First Party Medical Benefits, which pays your own medical bills regardless of who caused the collision.
Limited Tort vs Full Tort Election
Limited Tort saves policyholders 12% to 18% on their premium, but waives the right to recover non-monetary damages (pain and suffering) unless injuries meet the statutory definition of serious impairment of body function. Full Tort preserves unrestricted rights to seek recovery.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Stacking
Pennsylvania permits stacking of UM/UIM limits across multiple vehicles on the same policy or across separate household policies, multiplying available coverage in severe accidents unless explicitly waived.
Average Premiums in Pennsylvania
State-minimum liability with Limited Tort averages per year in rural PA, while full coverage in Philadelphia averages ,200 annually due to population density and litigation rates.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the serious injury exception in PA limited tort?
- It allows a driver with limited tort to sue for pain and suffering if they suffer death, permanent serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of body function.
- What is insurance stacking in Pennsylvania?
- Stacking allows you to combine the UM/UIM coverage limits of multiple vehicles on your policy to increase payout ceilings in a claim.
Sources
More in State insurance guides
- California Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Texas Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Florida Car Insurance Requirements & No-Fault Law (2026)
- New York Car Insurance Requirements & No-Fault Law (2026)
- Ohio Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Illinois Car Insurance Requirements & Mandatory Verification (2026)