Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Tort Options: Full Tort vs. Limited Tort Explained

Written by Bob Kelly, Agency Principal at PolicyVisor, with over 20 years of insurance experience

If you have ever bought car insurance in Pennsylvania, you have probably been asked to choose between Full Tort and Limited Tort.

A lot of people pick Limited Tort because it is cheaper.

That is understandable.

But this is one of those decisions where I think you should know what you are giving up before you make the choice.

How I Explain Full Tort vs. Limited Tort

I usually keep this pretty simple.

With Limited Tort, you can generally still pursue things you can put a price tag on.

Things like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident

Where Limited Tort becomes more restrictive is with the things that are harder to put a price tag on.

Things like:

• Ongoing pain
• Physical discomfort
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• The way an injury affects your normal day-to-day life

That is where Full Tort can matter.

With Full Tort, you preserve your broader right to pursue compensation for those non-economic damages if someone else causes the accident and injures you.

So the way I usually explain it is:

Limited Tort generally protects your ability to recover the things you can put a price tag on. Full Tort preserves your broader ability to pursue compensation for the things that are much harder to put a price tag on.

A Simple Example

Let’s say someone rear-ends you at a red light.

You are not at fault.

You end up with medical bills and you miss a week of work.

Those are fairly easy to measure.

You can put a number on the medical bills.

You can put a number on the lost wages.

But what if your back hurts for six months?

What if you cannot comfortably pick up your kids, work around the house, play golf, sleep normally, or do the things you usually enjoy?

There is no invoice for that.

That is the kind of thing that is harder to put a value on.

And that is where the Full Tort vs. Limited Tort decision becomes more important.

Why Would Someone Choose Limited Tort?

The main reason is price.

Limited Tort usually costs less than Full Tort.

For some people, the savings may be enough that they are comfortable making that trade.

For others, the difference may be pretty small.

That is why I like to look at the actual premium.

I would rather say:

“Full Tort costs you $X more per year. Is that worth it to you?”

That is a much better conversation than just saying one option is cheaper.

What Do I Usually Recommend?

I generally prefer Full Tort when the price difference is reasonable.

The reason is pretty simple.

You are paying more to preserve a right that may matter later if you are injured by someone else.

But I do not think every insurance decision should automatically be made by picking the most expensive option.

Sometimes the price difference is meaningful.

Sometimes a client has a tight budget.

That is why I like to show both options and let the client make an informed decision.

Limited Tort Does Have Exceptions

There are situations under Pennsylvania law where someone who selected Limited Tort may still be able to pursue non-economic damages.

That can include certain serious injuries and other specific situations.

This is where I stay in my lane.

I am an insurance agent.

I can explain the coverage options, what they generally mean, and what they cost.

I am not going to tell someone whether their injury legally qualifies as “serious” or whether a certain exception applies.

That is a legal question for a Pennsylvania attorney.

Does Tort Have Anything to Do With Damage to Your Car?

No.

This is something people mix up all the time.

Full Tort and Limited Tort deal with your rights after you are injured by another driver.

They do not determine whether your own car gets repaired.

That is where comprehensive and collision coverage come in.

You could have Full Tort and no collision coverage.

You could have Limited Tort and full physical damage coverage on your car.

They are separate parts of the policy.

Does Full Tort Guarantee a Bigger Settlement?

No.

Full Tort does not guarantee any settlement amount.

It does not mean every injury claim is worth more.

It simply preserves your broader right to pursue non-economic damages.

That is an important difference.

What We Look at at PolicyVisor

When we review an auto policy, tort is only one part of the conversation.

We also look at:

• Liability limits
• Property damage coverage
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
• Stacking
• Medical benefits
• Comprehensive and collision coverage
• Deductibles
• Rental reimbursement
• Umbrella eligibility

The goal is not to build the most expensive policy possible.

The goal is to make sure you understand what you have and what you are giving up to save money.

So, Full Tort or Limited Tort?

If you want the simplest version:

Limited Tort usually costs less, but it restricts your ability to pursue compensation for things like pain and suffering.

Full Tort costs more, but it preserves your broader right to pursue those damages.

For me, the question is the same one I use in a lot of insurance conversations:

What are you saving, and what are you giving up?

If you understand both sides of that tradeoff, you can make a much better decision.

Want Us to Review Your Policy?

PolicyVisor is an independent insurance agency serving clients throughout Pennsylvania, including Springfield, Delaware County, and the greater Philadelphia area.

If you send us your current declarations page, we can explain whether you have Full Tort or Limited Tort, review the rest of your coverage, and show you what the different options cost.

We are not just trying to find the lowest number on the screen.

We want you to understand what you are buying and why.

And if what you already have makes sense, we will tell you that too.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as individualized insurance or legal advice. Tort rights and the application of Pennsylvania law depend on the facts of each situation. Nothing in this article is intended to determine whether a particular injury qualifies as a serious injury or whether a legal exception applies. Insurance coverage is determined solely by the terms, conditions, exclusions, endorsements, and limits of the policy actually issued. Nothing on this website binds, modifies, extends, or guarantees insurance coverage. Please speak with a licensed insurance professional regarding your specific insurance needs and consult a Pennsylvania attorney regarding questions about your legal rights after an accident.