Auto Insurance

What Is Standard Liability Auto Insurance In My State?

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Gallina and Sons Insurance in Pittsburgh, PA – We Answer All of Your Questions From The Simple To The Complex 

The minimum required insurance coverage that is needed to own and operate a motor vehicle in the state of Pennsylvania are as follows: 

Medical benefits – $5000 is the minimum limit for medical bills for yourself and others regardless of who was found at fault in an accident.

Bodily injury liability – if someone is injured in a car accident either yourself or a passenger or someone in another vehicle this portion of coverage would pay the medical and/or rehabilitation fees if you are found liable. The minimum limits are $15,000/$30,000. $15,000 is the amount paid to one person to cover their injuries while $30,000 is the total paid for any one accident. Remember to keep in mind that these are the minimum limits for the state of Pennsylvania.

Property damage liability – if you are found at fault for damaging someone’s property during an accident this portion of your insurance would cover me the minimum for this portion of insurance is $5000.

We like to offer this information so that you have the opportunity to consider it before you sit down to speak with an agent who will underwrite your policy. Most people don’t know how much the minimum liability amount requirements are.    

Gallina and Sons serve Pittsburgh, PA and the surrounding areas in their auto, home, association, and commercial insurance needs. You can give us a call at 412-221-7010 to speak with one of our staffers. Quite possibly you may get a Gallina on the phone since it has been a family-owned and operated company since its inception.  We look forward to hearing from you today. Don’t hesitate to call.

What Type of Auto Insurance Do I Need?

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Owning a car is a big responsibility. In order to make sure that you are safe and responsible, those that are in the Pittsburgh, PA will need to have the right type and level of auto insurance coverage. There are several types of auto insurance coverage that you may need to have based on your situation. 

Liability Coverage

When you are driving a car in Pennsylvania, you will be required by law to carry a minimum level of liability insurance. You will need to have minimum property damage insurance coverage of at least $5,000 per incident as well as bodily injury coverage of at least $15,000 per person with a minimum cap of at least $30,000 per incident. If you do not carry at least these levels of coverage, you will violate state laws and could face stiff penalties if you are caught.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

The state minimum liability insurance coverage levels will only protect the other driver if you are at fault in an accident. If you have an expensive car that would be hard to replace, or if you have an auto loan, you will also want to have collision and comprehensive coverage. This type of coverage will give you a more blanket level of protection and will ensure you are covered for a variety of losses including theft or vandalism. 

If you own a car in the Pittsburgh, PA area, you should contact Gallina and Sons to discuss your auto insurance needs further. The team at Gallina and Sons can help anyone to understand better the type of auto insurance that they need to have. Our company can then get you into a reliable policy that provides you with the right level and type of coverage. 

Common Misconceptions About Auto Insurance

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At Gallina and Sons, we have worked with people who have some pretty common misconceptions about car insurance. If you live in Pittsburgh, PA or the surrounding area and have any of the following ideas, we are here to bust them.

Insuring a Red Car Costs More

Too many people have asked us over the years if their red car is going to cost more to insure. Color has nothing to do with your policy premiums. Your policy will be affected more by things like your driving record, credit history, and more.

You Always Get The Best Policy

Many people believe that an agent is going to find the best possible insurance policy for them, no matter what. That isn’t always the case. While an agent will get you the best policy their company offers, they won’t suggest one outside of their employer. There’s a strong fact that you might get a better policy option from a different company.

Gender Affects Your Coverage

The idea that men have higher premiums than women is a silly misconception that is more like a bad sitcom joke than anything. Insurance companies base their premiums on a driver’s history and the quality of their vehicle. The gender of the driver has almost nothing to do with it.

Lapsed Coverage Saves You Money

Some people try to save a little money by letting their insurance policy lapse for a few months. This mistake is a huge one. That’s because you can not only get severely penalized if you’re caught without insurance but will end up paying higher premiums because of your lapse.

Avoid These Misconceptions

So if you live in Pittsburgh, PA or the surrounding areas and suffer from these misconceptions, please contact us at Gallina and Sons. We can help you better understand your insurance policies and ensure that you don’t experience any complications due to a misunderstanding.

Is Auto Insurance Required in Pennsylvania?

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If you’re an adult living in the Pittsburgh, PA area, chances are you drive a car. With each state and territory having their laws governing auto insurance, it’s no wonder there’s confusion across the United States over what is and isn’t required. Fortunately, Gallina and Sons Insurance is here to help. Currently, auto insurance is required under law for all Pennsylvania drivers. That said, the law itself is a little more complicated when it comes to buying auto insurance and making sure you have what you need. Here’s what you need to know:

Pennsylvania Uses ‘Choice No Fault’ Regulations

Most people are familiar with either fault (where the driver deemed to be liable for the accident pays for the damages and medical costs through their insurance or personal funds) or no-fault laws. (where both drivers involved have their insurance companies pay for the damages and medical costs) However, Pennsylvania is pretty unique in that it has "choice no-fault" laws, where drivers can opt in or out of no-fault auto insurance.

However, it is essential to know that this choice must be made at the time that auto insurance is purchased, and the choice cannot be changed in the event of an accident. 

There Are Minimum Coverage Requirements

Like most states, Pennsylvania does have a minimum coverage limit for drivers. While the numbers are subject to change, they are currently at $15,000 per person or $30,000 per accident when it comes to bodily injury. With medical benefits, the minimum is at $5,000 per accident. Pennsylvania also can impose hefty fines on people who are caught driving without proper auto insurance (especially if they are involved in an accident), so it is essential to make sure you have a great insurance policy that both fits your budget and adheres to state laws. 

If you live in the Pittsburgh, PA area, contact Gallina and Sons to learn more about how to obtain a quote and a policy. 

Are You Covered Fully for a Long Distance Road Trip?

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It may be about time for that road trip of a lifetime. The weather is about to be nice, and the upcoming months mean that nature will be in full bloom. As you plan the details of your trip such as where to stay, key points to see, and the best food places along the way, don’t forget to update your auto insurance before you leave. Gallina and Sons, serving residents in the Bridgeville, PA area, would love to help you make sure that auto insurance is not a worry for you as you make your trip. 

The last thing you want to be thinking about on your road trip is your auto insurance coverage. That is why it is essential to learn all you can about the limitations of your coverage before you leave. For example, if you only have the minimum of coverage for your state, you may discover it is not enough if you get in an accident out of state. This is not always the case, but it is worth checking into before you leave and comparing it to the states you plan to drive through. Also, consider who else may be driving, it is common to use more than one driver on a long trip, but it is key to make sure each driver is covered. 

Advanced preparation is key to making sure you are fully covered in the event of the inevitable. This can save you from financial strains and future burdens.

Contact us at Gallina and Sons to discuss your next road trip and to make sure you are fully covered from out of state issues; we are proudly located in Bridgeville, PA and serve the surrounding areas. 

How Driving Citations can Change your Auto Insurance Policy

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When renewing your auto insurance policy, or starting a new policy, typically the insurance company will look at several factors. They may consider what type of car you are driving, how far you usually drive your car each day, or how many people will be driving the car in the household. Did you know that a car insurance policy is also determined by any driving citations you may have incurred? 

Any ticket for a moving violation can significantly impact your car insurance policy and the premium that you will pay. Although each car insurance company is different, typically moving violations are separated into three distinct categories. A small impact ticket that will not alter your vehicle insurance drastically could be something like having a tail light out while driving. 

A more serious moving citation might be a speeding ticket for going ten mph over the speed limit. This can moderately affect the premiums you pay for car insurance. 

A serious moving violation may be something like DUI conviction. This can have very grave consequences and can even cancel your coverage depending on the situation in which you were caught.

Each car insurance is different and will have different thresholds to consider for moving violations. The severity and the number of tickets in a given amount of time will also impact the way your auto insurance changes.

If you have questions about auto insurance policies, be sure to reach out to Gallina and Sons proudly serving Bridgeville, PA. At Gallina and Sons, we understand that auto insurance can be complicated. If you are a resident of Bridgeville, PA, please reach out to us. We are available to help answer any questions you may have and can help get you started on a new auto insurance policy today. If you are looking for a quote, try our online rating tool on auto insurance.