Insurance tip for the week

We receive calls about automobile accidents. Our staff is instructed to ask whether the caller has full or limited tort. Frequently the caller says: "Yes, I have "full coverage", meaning collision and comprehensive. This has nothing to do with the full tort option. Briefly, limited tort allows a policyholder to save money (usually no more than 15 %) but lose the legal right to make a claim for injuries unless the injury is "serious". Unfortunately the Pennsylvania courts and insurance companies interpret "serious" to be chronic, if not permanent. Thus, if you elect limited tort, you trade slight savings for fair compensation of your injuries.
TIP: discuss this thoroughly with your agent. Do not assume that the agent will cover this in detail and, remember, the agent works for the insurance company, not you. If you already have limited tort, it is not too late to change. Merely call your agent and ask that a form be sent to you. Call us if you have any questions. we are here to help even if you do not have an injury claim right now. Remember, our attorneys used to work for the "other side". Let Stoehr & Smith work for you now. Attorney Doug Stoehr