Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements: Minimums and Limited vs. Full Tort
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5 liability and $5,000 in medical benefits. How choice no-fault works, limited vs. full tort, stacking and lapse penalties.
Updated October 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania requires liability limits of at least $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5), plus $5,000 in first-party medical benefits.
- Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Limited tort costs less but restricts your right to sue for pain and suffering. If you don't choose, you get full tort.
- Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which you can reject in writing. Stacking applies unless you reject it.
- Driving uninsured can bring a three-month registration and license suspension and a fine of at least $300.
Pennsylvania's minimum car insurance
| Coverage | Required minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | $15,000 |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | $30,000 |
| Property damage liability | $5,000 |
| First-party medical benefits | $5,000 |
A $35,000 combined single limit can be used instead of 15/30/5. Pennsylvania's $5,000 property damage minimum is among the lowest in the country.
A $5,000 property damage limit won't cover much: hitting even an average new car can cost more than that. Higher limits protect you from paying the difference yourself.
Choice no-fault: limited tort vs. full tort
In Pennsylvania, your own medical benefits pay first after a crash, no matter who caused it. You also choose how much of your right to sue you keep:
- Limited tort lowers your premium. You can still recover medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs, but you generally can't sue for pain and suffering unless an exception applies, such as a serious injury.
- Full tort costs more but keeps your unrestricted right to sue for pain and suffering.
If you don't make a choice, your policy defaults to full tort. Think about it before you sign, because the savings from limited tort come with real limits after a crash.
Free, no obligation, about two minutes. Or call: Insured 1-888-773-7558 · Uninsured 1-844-900-2302
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Insurers must offer uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage. You can reject either one in writing. If you have more than one vehicle, stacking lets you combine UM/UIM limits across them for higher protection. Stacking applies automatically unless you reject it, which lowers the premium.
How Pennsylvania checks insurance
Insurers must report cancellations to PennDOT. PennDOT also checks insurance information you list on registration renewals, and inspection stations verify coverage. Accepted proof includes your insurance ID card, declarations page, a binder or a letter from your insurer.
Penalties for a lapse
- A three-month registration suspension, plus restoration fees.
- If you drove the vehicle without coverage, a three-month license suspension and a fine of at least $300.
- Once every 12 months, you may be able to pay a $500 civil penalty instead of serving the registration suspension.
- If the lapse lasted 30 days or less and you sign a statement that the vehicle wasn't driven, you can avoid suspension. Surrendering the plate before canceling coverage also avoids penalties.
Is the state minimum enough?
The minimum is what the law requires, not what protects you. Liability limits cap what your insurer pays when you injure someone or damage their property. A serious crash can easily cost more than a minimum policy pays, and you can be personally responsible for the rest. Many drivers choose higher limits, such as 100/300/100, and add collision and comprehensive if their car would be expensive to replace. If you finance or lease, your lender will almost always require collision and comprehensive.
Quotes for higher limits often cost less than people expect, and the price difference between insurers can be larger than the difference between coverage levels. Comparing the same limits across several insurers is the clearest way to see your options.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't choose limited or full tort?
Your policy defaults to full tort, which keeps your full right to sue but costs more.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Pennsylvania?
No. Insurers must offer UM and UIM, and you can reject them in writing.
What is stacking?
Stacking combines your UM/UIM limits across multiple vehicles for higher coverage. It applies unless you reject it in writing.
Sources
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance (Wren AI), and checked against the government and industry sources listed above. Wren AI is an AI tool, not a person or a licensed insurance agent.
This guide is general information, not insurance, legal or tax advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by state, insurer and policy. Confirm details with a licensed agent before you buy. Read our editorial policy.