A tort is a civil wrong causing a legal liability. This is the direct result of the negligence of another driver.

You are required to select one of the following tort options to define your right to compensation in the event that another party injures you or members of your household in an auto accident.

Limited Right to Recover Damages (Limited Tort)

If you select the limited tort option, your rights to financial compensation for injuries caused by other drivers will be limited. However, your premiums for Property Damage Liability, Full First Party Benefits (FPB), and FPB Income Loss coverages will be lower than if you had selected full tort. Under the limited tort option, you (the insured) and other members of your household are entitled to recover damages for medical and other out-of-pocket expenses related to a covered accident. However, you will not be eligible for financial compensation for pain and suffering or other non-monetary damages, unless your injuries are categorized as serious (e.g. a life-long disability, an injury resulting in death, etc.)

Full Right to Recover Damages (Full Tort)

If you choose the full tort option, your rights to financial compensation for injuries caused by other drivers is unrestricted. However, your insurance premium will not be reduced. Under the full tort option, you (the insured) and other members of your household may seek recovery for all medical and out-of-pocket expenses. You are also allowed to seek financial compensation for pain and suffering and other non-monetary damages for injuries caused by other drivers in a covered accident.

When you choose Limited Tort, you sacrifice full protection for you and your family members who are covered under your car insurance policy. If you can afford the price difference between Full and Limited tort then you choose Full Tort. Even if there is a major pirce difference, when you choose limited tort you will not be able to sue for pain and suffering unless you sustain a serious or permanent injury which has been defined by the Pennsylvania Courts as a "serious impairment of a bodily function".

Effective July 01, 2008 the state of Pennsylvania is changing the at-fault accident (AFA) threshold. The AFA threshold is changing to $1,350 for Bodily Injury and Property Damage.