The answer to this question is very important. Many times your tort status will determine if you can recover for injuries sustained in a car accident. In Pennsylvania drivers must choose between limited tort and full tort options when auto insurance policies are purchased. The full tort option allows the insured (and the members of the insured’s household) to collect for damages related to pain and suffering in automobile accidents. This is true irrespective of the seriousness of the injury.
If you select the limited tort option you give up your right to sue for pain and suffering unless you suffer a “serious injury.” Under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, a “serious injury” is defined as a “Personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.”
When choosing coverage I always recommend to people that they purchase full tort. The difference in price is nominal in comparison to the value of the right you are giving up by electing for limited tort.
Limited Tort or Full Tort?
