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Breathtaking landscapes, a tranquil lifestyle and charmingly courteous people—the tangs to a perfect life that Pennsylvanians get to savor everyday. But before you settle down and immerse yourself in Pennsylvania's rich heritage, you should learn about the insurance covers that you'll need in order to live here.
Different US states require different insurance coverages. Pennsylvania, for example, is a no-fault insurance state. This means the insurance will cover your expenses regardless of who's at fault in a car accident. Even if you don't live in Pennsylvania, the following insurance covers will protect you from any future mishaps –
In This Post:
Car Insurance
Car insurance is mandatory to access legal driving in Pennsylvania and 48 other US states. Owing to the fact that the motor vehicle fatality rate in the US is 102 per day, this is an earnest effort to keep the American streets safe from accidents. Pennsylvanian drivers, therefore, are entitled to three kinds of coverage – medical benefits, property damage liability and bodily injury liability.
- Medical Benefits: The medical coverage takes care of your medical bills after an accident even if you weren't responsible for it. In order to claim this, you need a minimum of $5,000 in coverage. You can spend up to $100,000. There are also other options like funeral benefits, income loss and accidental death benefits.
- Property Damage Liability: The coverage for property damage liability goes to the person who's not at fault. This means it will pay for the damage to the victim's car or property if you caused the accident, the minimum coverage being $5,000.
- Bodily Injury Liability: This also covers the faultless person for any harm to his/her body. The minimum amount, in this case, is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
Besides these, you could buy further coverage to protect your car in entirety. Here's a comprehensive guide on the various car insurance coverages and when to buy them.
Dog Insurance
It may sound funny to an outsider, but in Pennsylvania, owners of “dangerous” dogs need liability insurance or a surety bond of $50,000. A dangerous dog doesn't refer to any particular breed, but rather an animal that exhibits the following behavior:
- If it has assaulted a human without being provoked.
- If it has been used in the commission of a crime.
- If it has wounded a human without provocation on public or private property.
- If it has battered a domestic animal without being provoked.
Homeowners Insurance
While not mandatory by law, most, if not all American homeowners have their homes insured. Some Pennsylvanian homes are extremely old, placing them at the risk of sudden collapse and momentary displacements. Even if your house is new, it's in everyone's best interests to insure it.
A homeowners insurance pays the cash value of any damaged personal property. Homeowners policies can be –
- For homeowners
- For tenants
- For condominium owners
A basic homeowners insurance will cover –
- Dwelling Bulwark – Shields the structure of your home including your roof, walls, and its built-in appliances like heating and air-conditioning.
- Personal Property – Covers the stuff not attached to your home like furniture, your favorite outfits and the iPad that just got stolen.
- Personal Liability – If an accident in your home causes harm to someone else and their belongings, this coverage will help you pay for their damage.
- Medical Shield to Others – If a guest happens to step on a Lego and kick the bucket inside your property, insurance will help you pay for their medical expenses and funeral.
You might be wondering how much is all that coverage going to cost? The answer is – depends.
What you'll be spending on your house insurance will differ from everyone else. Your friend across the state might be living off a much cheaper insurance than you. That's because the price of a home insurance leans on factors like
- Your Location – Are you a caveman living the life on the hills? Or does nature frequently send storms your way? If the answer's yes, the price will considerably go up.
- The Age of the House – Is your home older than the Queen of England? Old houses tend to have a lot of hazards and insurance costs quite a bit for these.
- Your Deductible – Amount that you pay toward a loss before the insurance company says “we got you” and pays your expenses. Remember, the lower the deductible, the higher the price.
Having fire alarms installed in your home or never filing a claim before can also get you a discount on your insurance. These policies are also region-specific when it comes to providing perks. Homeowners Insurance Made for Pennsylvanians, for example, is a great place for denizens to seek benefits specific to the Keystone state.
And that's it. You've learnt everything about the necessary Pennsylvanian insurances, so why don't you settle down, cherish the pines and the apples, gazing the darkest of skies, and pour yourself from the country's oldest brewery, alongside the rest of us Pennsylvanians.
